Proximate Analysis of Coal

D.L.Bonga, M.F.Pinto, M.A.Roa

Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
michelle_angelica18@yahoo.com
Abstract

1. Introduction
Coal is a solid hydrocarbon fuel which is produced
by the prolonged action of geological forces in the
earth and the accumulation of plants and vegetal
matter in favorable conditions. Currently, it is the
largest single source of energy for the metallurgical
industry. However, coal is not usually burned directly
to serve as an energy source; instead it is first
converted to other products such as coke, tar and coal
gases before it is fully utilized.[1]
Analytical methods are usually performed to
measure the physical and chemical properties of coal
that help in indicating its suitability in its different
uses. There are four common coal analysis processes
which differ on the depth and aspect of the analysis
of the coal samples. The most basic of these is the
rational analysis. This process aims to identify the
individual compounds present in the coal sample. The
tests in this analysis include: leaching of organic
solvents; destructive distillation at varying
temperatures; chemical attacks; and microscopic
study. Another coal analysis method is the
petrographic analysis. Here, coal is examined as
rocks composing of constituents with varying optical
properties. Meanwhile, the ultimate analysis of coal
deals with elemental analysis of chief chemical
elements in present in coal such as carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. This type of analysis is
used for elemental balances and identification of
calorific power. Lastly, proximate coal analysis
consists of a more in-depth process of determining
important compositions and properties of coal. The
proximate analysis is an empirical analysis which
classifies coal based on its fixed carbon, volatile
matter, ash and moisture content.[1]

2. Methodology
The execution of this experiment wherein the
proximate analysis of coal was conducted was based

on ASTM D-271
determinations.

which

consists

of

several

Primarily, five (5) one-gram crushed coal samples

were weighed and placed in separate crucibles. To
identify the moisture (M) content of the said samples,
they were placed inside an oven with a temperature
of 105C for 1 hour. Afterwards, the crucibles
containing the samples were allowed to cool for a
moment before they were stored inside a dessicator.
Storing the samples inside the dessicator is important
to keep away excess moisture. The samples were then
weighed and stored back in the dessicator.
The next objective was to determine the amount of
volatile matter (VM) still present in the samples. The
samples were heated inside a muffle furnace with a
temperature of 950C for 7 minutes to eliminate the
volatile matter; hence upon weighing the samples
after cooling, the amount of VM was identified.
Finally, the amount of ash (A) present was identified
by once again heating the samples in the muffle
furnace until complete combustion occurs, but this
time in a lower temperature of 750C. The samples
were weighed after cooling to determine the exact
amount of ash.
To determine the percentage of the fixed carbon
(FC) in the samples, the percentages of M, VM and A
were added, and then subtracted from 100.

3. Results and Discussion

Table 1. Proximate Analysis of 1 gram of coal
Trial
M
VM
A
FC
1
0.0257
0.1194
0.3513
0.5074
2
0.0244
0.1541
0.2900
0.5317
3
0.0281
0.1413
0.4186
0.4290
4
0.0262
0.1429
0.3626
0.4688
5
0.0233
0.1123
0.4397
0.4287

4. Conclusion
5. References

[1] Metallurgical Fuels.Metallurgical Engineering

134 Lecture Slides by Rachel Ann Sayo. First
Semester, AY 2014-2015.