Thermoplastic interaction of ultra-high fluidity Brazilian coal with components of blends

Abstract Brazilian coking coal (Barro Branco seam) were used to produced several binary coal blends with traditional coking coals. The plastic properties of such blends were study by Gieseler plastometry in order to identify possible interactions between coals. The magnitude of the interactions was estimated by the comparison of measured and predicted values of maximum fluidity and the temperatures that define the plastic range. Brazilian coal is characterized by an anomalous ultra-high fluidity and is an interesting plasticizing agent for coal blends. The results also revealed that the Brazilian coal has a positive synergy in terms of plasticity with other coking coals. This synergy results in blends with higher maximum fluidity and initial softening temperatures than expected by additivity. However, such interaction did not change the maximum fluidity and the resolidification temperatures. Positive interactions were linked to the transfer of a certain amount of liquid or volatile plasticizing material from Brazilian coal to other coals.