Influencing factors and mechanisms involved in the ignition of low-rank coal: Implications for spontaneous combustion

Abstract

Understanding the ignition mechanism of spontaneous combustion is critical for preventing it. In this work, the effects of different test conditions including oxygen concentration, heating rate, oxidation carrier gas flow rate, and sample amount on the ignition temperature were studied with a thermal gravimetric analyzer. Further, the effects of coal properties on the ignition temperature were also investigated using 15 different low-rank coals. A heterogenous ignition model was proposed that small amount of active species is the key material leading to ignition. The heterogenous ignition mechanism well explained the complex effects of test conditions and coal properties on the ignition temperature of low-rank coal. Finally, an empirical formula for predicting the ignition temperature was derived for the rapid assessment of the spontaneous combustion potential.