Investigation of the combustion of particles of coal

A thermogravimetric method was used to study the behaviour of seven pulverized commercial coals during the first instants of their combustion and devolatilization and combustion of the corresponding chars. Their weight variations are related to the evolution of the surface characteristics of the carbonaceous materials. In particular, BET surface areas of the chars appear to be strictly related to the volatile matter of the parent coals and to the devolatilization conditions. A thermogravimetric reactivity parameter is suggested and related to the combustion efficiency obtained from pilot plant combustion data.