Field and laboratory simulation study of hot spots in stockpiled bituminous coal

Uri Green, Zeev Aizenshtat, Lionel Metzger, Haim Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Large coal piles (50-150 000 tons) undergo weathering processes during long-term storage in open air. Chemisorption of atmospheric oxygen, formation of surface oxides, and partial oxidative decomposition of the coal macromolecule matrix result in the release of organic and inorganic gases [e.g., methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), ethane (C 2H6), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen (H2)]. Some of these processes are exothermic, and when the rate of heat dissipation in the pile is lower than that of its formation, a significant increase in the temperature can be measured. These places are termed "hot spots", which, in extreme cases, can result in fire eruptions. The maximal temperature measured in the hot spots was 330 °C. Monitoring of hot spots at the Israel Electric Company (IEC) bituminous coal storage sites has been conducted. A unique monitoring unit that can penetrate up to 8 m into the coal pile to sample gases and also measure the temperature was used.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7230-7235
Number of pages6
JournalEnergy and Fuels
Volume26
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Dec 2012
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Field and laboratory simulation study of hot spots in stockpiled bituminous coal'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this