NEARBY ANALYSIS AND DENSITY OF COAL.

1
Lizeth Dayana Chavarro; Diego Armando Jimenez;
2
Álvaro Jiménez.
1,2
Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas
1
Estudiantes; Carbones; 2 Profesor
Bogotá D.C. 06 de Marzo 2018

ABSTRACT: This article presents the results obtained by conducting a close analysis
in a sample of coal, in order to recognize the type of coal that is to be analyzed and its
main characteristics; within the analyzes performed are the percentage of moisture,
volatile fuel, ash and bulk density. For this sample, a moisture content of 3.42% and ash
of 5.57% was obtained, which allowed classification of the sample within the ASTM D
388-99 standard in a bituminous type coal, due to the percentages of moisture and
volatile matter obtained.

KEY WORKS: Humedad, ceniza, poder calorífico, densidad, rango, Materia volátil,
Carbón.

INTRODUCTION: Since its founding in 1898, ASTM

Coal is a sedimentary rock of vegetable
origin, which has high calorific level,
this does not always have the same
characteristics, since these depend on
various factors such as where the
sample was found and the evolution in
which it is found.
Coal supplies 25% of the primary
energy consumed in the world, is
behind oil, and is the first source of
electrical energy with 40% in world
production. Taking into account the
difficulties that frame the use of oil and
that in countries such as Colombia, the
clearest option is coal, it is necessary to
carry out analyzes that allow knowing
the physical and chemical properties of
coal, with the purpose of choosing the
one from which greater profit can be
obtained.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK:
International (American Society for
Testing and Materials) is one of the
largest international standards
development organizations in the world.
ASTM brings together producers, users
and consumers, among others, from
around the world, to create voluntary
consensus standards.
These standards are used and accepted
worldwide and cover areas such as
metals, paints, plastics, textiles,
petroleum, construction, energy, the
environment, products for consumers,
medical devices and services, and
electronic products.
The next carbon analysis according to
ASTM D3172 is defined as the
determination of humidity, ash, volatile
matter and fixed carbon. In our
environment and for commercial and
industrial purposes, the determination of
the calorific value and sulfur is
included, this is equivalent to the
complete next analyzes.
• Residual humidity
• Total humidity
• Analysis of total sulfur and clays
• Ashes
• Volatile materials
• Fixed carbon
• Heating power
Residual Moisture (ASTM D3173):
The moisture that a dry carbon loses
when exposed to a temperature of
106ºC. For example, a surface moisture
between 1.5 and 3% prevents the
generation of dust. Excess surface
moisture causes handling problems such
as clogging in hoppers and reduction in
the performance of shredders, especially
if accompanied by a high content of
fines. Likewise, the presence of a very
high humidity delays the ignition of the
coal, causing that there is not enough
time, for its total consumption being
evacuated part of it in the ashes.
Surface moisture; It is the moisture that
the coal loses when it is dried in the air
of the laboratory environment. (Barrera,
Pérez, & Salazar, 2014)
Total humidity (ASTM D3302M ISO
589):
It is the sum of the surface humidity
and the residual humidity. It is
necessary to know it in the contracts of
purchase and sale, in the evaluation and
construction of industrial processes,
handling and pulverization of coal.
Sulfur: Sulfur is found in carbons in
variable proportions from 0.1 to 10%. It
is one of the most worrisome and
problematic impurities, considering it
second after the ashes. There are several
methods to determine it, either wet by
the ASTM D3177 standard or dry using
equipment such as Leco S32 sulfur
analyzer or Macanal elemental analyzer.
It comes in three forms:
• Pirítico, as (FeS2), very dense, can be
partially removed by washing the coal
and is combustible.
• Organic, can not be removed
economically, it is partially combustible
• Sulfatic is not combustible, and goes
directly to the ashes
Sulfur must be known because it can
form corrosive compounds in boilers
such as crusts and slag; It forms
poisonous gases that pollute the
environment It is needed to define
cleaning processes.
Of all the elemental constituents of coal,
from the environmental point of view,
sulfur is the most important to know,
since during combustion the sulfur is
transformed into SO2 and SO3, which
are corrosive and especially affect the
heat recovery equipment. such as the
economizer and the air heater, these
compounds are also harmful to humans
and cause acid rain when SO3 in the
atmosphere reacts with water to form
H2SO4.
Sulfur is a highly reactive substance,
significantly accelerates the oxidation of
stacked coal, this reduces the possibility
of storing coal for long periods.
The coal with low sulfur content allows
the use of relatively low temperatures at
the exit of the boiler, therefore,
improves the efficiency of it.
Generally, carbons with more than 2%
sulfur are not burned, without special
devices to reduce the atmospheric
emission of SO2.
The sulfur partly controls the resistivity
of the ashes, especially at low
temperatures, to achieve electrostatic
precipitation in particulate material
control equipment.
Volatile Matter (ASTM 3175, ISO
562):
Volatile matter is gaseous detachment
of organic matter during the heating
required by the norm. As the coal heats
up, gaseous and liquid products are
released. The constituents are mainly
water, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide, hydrogen sulphides,
methane, ammonia, benzene, toluene,
naphthalene and vapors tars. It is
important in the design and selection of
boilers, in the classification of coals
according to ASTM and ISO standards
and in the selection of gasification and
liquefaction processes.
As a general rule it can be stated that
coals with a high volatile content burn
more easily and with long flame (there
are some exceptions) and if the
percentage of volatile matter is low,
higher preheating of the coal is usually
needed, which is equivalent to a
particular design of the boiler and in
addition it is required to pulverize to
smaller size the coal.
Ash (ASTM D3174, ISO 1171):
The ashes of a coal are a product of
combustion, ie a residue from the
calcination at 750ºC (ASTM) or 815ºC
(ISO) of minerals and salts in the coal.
The ashes dilute the combustible
fraction of the coal; they form deposits
in the walls of the ovens and normally
when they are in great quantity they
must be extracted from the coal, for
these reasons they must be known to:
select the crushing, pulverizing,
combustion equipment and determine
the washing and cleaning processes.
Low ash contents favor operating costs
and the highest equipment availability.
The behavior of the ashes depends on
the composition. When they have high
content of sodium (Na2O> 2) it
promotes the formation of crusts and
with high content of iron (Fe2O3)
propitiates the formation of slags.
Fixed Carbon (ASTM D-3172):
Fixed carbon is the part that is not
volatile and that burns in the solid state.
It is found in the coke residue that
remains in the crucible after certain
volatile matters. If this waste is
subtracted from the ashes, the fixed
carbon is obtained, so that generally the
percentage of fixed carbon is not
obtained by weighing the residue, but
by difference once the moisture, ashes
and volatile materials are known.
It is important to calculate the
efficiency in combustion equipment, in
the carbonization and combustion
processes of coals; also together with
the ash represents approximately the
amount of coke to be obtained from a
coking coal.
Calorific Power (ASTM D 2015): ous
2
Represents the combustion energy of Lig 5- 40 - 40 - 10 -
carbon and hydrogen in the organic and nite 4 60 50 20
sulfur fraction, both organic and pyritic, 2
generally expressed in Calorie / Gram <
Tur
or in British Thermal Units (BTU / Lb). 2
ba
5
The calorific power depends on the
proportion and quality of the organic
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
fraction; which is reduced in all ranges
by the percentage of moisture and ash. MATERIALS:
This parameter is the most important to
take into account in the thermal coals  melting pot
and especially in the purchase sale  muffle
contracts; it also defines the size of the  oven
combustion chamber and the coal  spatula
feeding system to the boiler or furnace,  pycnometer
because it determines the amount of  test tubes
coal that must be burned to obtain a  pipette
given final capacity.  balance
Apparent density: REAGENTS:
those with high bulk density have  sodium hydroxide
higher energy per unit volume, while  carbon tetrachloride
those with low density have a more  hydrochloric acid
complicated combustion process, and  nitric acid
raise operating costs.
 Ethanol
Table 1. coal classification by rank
METRHODS:
C vola calo
Hum DETERMINATION OF HUMIDITY
fix tile rific
Range idity PERCENTAGE
ed matt pow
%
% er% er
After tare the crucible, 1 g of sample
8
ant 23 was taken in the crucible and its weight
6-
hra <3 <5 – was recorded, this was taken to a
9
cite 33 furnace at a temperature of 110 ° C for
8
4 1 hour to be able to remove the
bitu 24
5- 5- 10 – humidity. Then he took the desiccator
min –
8 10 30 for a time of 10 minutes and took his
ous 35
6
weight.
Sub 3
20
- 5- 15 - 30 – DETERMINATION OF THE
–
bitu 4 30 40
21 PERCENTAGE OF ASHES
min 5
After verifying that the weight of the
crucible is constant, 1 g of carbon
sample was weighed and heated for one
hour in a muffle that was at 750 ºC. then
the sample was taken to the desiccator,
looking for it to reach room
temperature.
DETERMINATION OF VOLATILE
COMBUSTIBLE MATTER
SAMPLE:
The sample of charcoal supplied has a
dark and compact patience, has no
shine, is in the form of rocks with a
blackish and brown color. At the
moment of fragmenting it, it requires a
lot of crushing however, after
fragmenting it becomes a little more
malleable, note figure 1.

When the muffle reached a temperature

of 950 ° C, a crucible containing 1 g of
carbon sample was introduced into it.
After 3 minutes it was verified if there
was presence of flame or luminous
particles and then the crucible was
returned to the muffle for a period of 7
minutes.

Subsequently, it was taken to the

desiccator for a period of 30 minutes,
until it reached room temperature, and it
was weighed.

DETERMINATION OF APPARENT
DENSITY
Various solubility tests are carried out
on the carbon sample, among the
solvents to be used are: sodium
hydroxide, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid
and carbon tetrachloride. After
obtaining the solvent of our carbon, we
take 1 g of carbon sample and dissolve
it in 5 mL of the solvent obtained in the
previous test, this mixture is taken to the
pycnometer and the density of this is
determined after 24 hours with a
previous weigh.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
Fig. 1 Carbon sample.
1. Humedad:
The analysis that was made to the raw
sample in terms of humidity, said
sample is used to calculate other
analytical results such as volatile matter
later. Humidity is determined to
establish the weight loss of the sample
when it is subjected to low heating.
Table 2. Data obtained from moisture
from quantification by means of a
crucible.
 in equilibrium can go up to 15% or
more
Chemical Mass of Mass of Mass of
analysis melting melting melting
Humidity is an adulterant that lowers
pot pot pot
capless capless capless the calorific or heating value of
(g) and and charcoal. When coal is sold by weight,
sample sample,
(g) after 1 dishonest merchants often maintain a
hour of high moisture content, wetting it with
heating water. The addition of water does not
humidity 12,502 13,5227 12,7977
change the volume or appearance of
charcoal. For this reason, those who buy
𝐴−𝐵 the bulk coal prefer to buy either the
%ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑦 = ∗ 100
𝐴 raw volume, eg in cubic meters, or by
weight, but determining its moisture
Where:
content through laboratory tests and
A= g of wet sample adjust in proportion the price. In small
markets it is often sold piece by piece.
B= g dry sample
The different ways in which water can
It should be noted that the moisture of be found in coal are the following:
the coals is mainly found as surface
moisture, which is coming from the
atmosphere and from the washing
Accidental or superficial humidity: it is
operations, in addition to the inherent
the one that is released when the coal
moisture that is chemically bound to the
dries in the air.
carbon structure.

1,0207 𝑔 − 0,972 Hydroscopic humidity: it is the one that

%ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑦 = to eliminate it is necessary to heat the
1,0207 𝑔
fuel to a temperature close to 107ºC.
∗ 100 = 3,42 %
Humidity from the decomposition of
Fresh coal, just opened the furnace,
organic compounds: it is that which is
contains very little moisture, usually
released from organic compounds at
less than 1%. The absorption of
temperatures between 200 - 225 ° C
moisture from the air itself is rapid, and
over time it gains moisture that, even Hydration water of mineral matter: it is
without getting wet with rain, can reach necessary to heat at temperatures close
a content of 5 to 10%, even for well- to 500ºC.
burned charcoal. When charcoal has not
been burned properly or when Usually, when we talk about humidity,
pyrogenic acids and soluble tars have we usually refer to the first two: (total
been taken up by charcoal due to rain, humidity = accidental water +
as can occur in burning in pits or pits, hydroscopic water).
the hygroscopicity of the charcoal and
its natural moisture content increase or
2. Ashes:
The ashes are determined by weighing
the inorganic waste, which is generally
between 3% and 15% in coal, which
remains after the combustion of the coal
in the presence of oxygen under specific
conditions, as stated in the ASTM
standard (950 ° c).
Therefore, to calculate the percentage of
ashes present in the sample, the
following is used:
𝐴−𝐵
%Ashes = ∗ 100 =
𝐶
When:
A= Weight of the capsule with the ash
residue
collected, as soil contamination, during
the process.
The content of ashes in charcoal varies
from around 0.5% to more than 5%,
depending on the species of wood, the
amount of bark included with the wood
in the kiln and the amount of
contamination with soil and sand.
Typically, a piece of good charcoal has
an ash content of around 3%. Fine char
may have a high ash content, but if
material smaller than 4 mm is removed
by sieving, the remaining more than 4
mm may have an ash content of about
5-10%. Buyers naturally suspect the
char, which is difficult to sell (and,
unfortunately, to use).

B= Weight of the empty capsule 3. Volatile matter:

C= Weight of the sample Volatile matter is defined as the
decomposition products of organic
Table. 3 Data obtained for ashes from a
substances, around (2-45%) that are
charcoal sample.
released as gases or vapors when
Chemical Mass of Crucible heating coal in the absence of air. The
analysis empty mass without remaining residue is called coke.
melting pot lid and
(g) sample, after
ignition (700
The determination of volatile matter
and 750 ° c) allows establishing the type of coal, it
Ashes 25.651 25.906 also indicates the production of coke in
the carbonization process and to provide
22,6188 𝑔−22,5615 𝑔 the basis of purchase and sale and
%𝐴𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑠 = ∗ 100 = establish the combustion characteristics.
1,027 𝑔
5,57 %
Therefore to calculate the percentage of
The ashes are determined by heating a lost weight is:
sample, by weight, to the red color with
access of air to completely burn all the
combustible substance, leaving a 𝐴−𝐵
%𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = ∗ 100 =
residue called ash. These are mineral 𝐴

substances, such as clay, silica and When:

calcium and magnesium oxides, etc.,
present in the original wood and A= Weight of the sample used
B= Weight of the treated sample To determine the density of the carbon
sample, it was necessary to perform
%Volatile matter = 𝐶 − 𝐷 solubility tests, which yielded the
following results:
When:
Table 5.Solubility of the carbon sample.
C= Lost weight percentage
SOLVENT SOLUBILITY
D= humidity percentage
HCl insoluble
Table. 4 Data obtained from volatile
NaOH Soluble
matter of a carbon sample.
HNO3 Medium soluble
Mass
of
meltin
CCl4 insoluble
Empt Cruci
Chemi g pot
y ble EtOH Insoluble
withou Heating
cal Cruci mass
t lid ramp (For
analysi ble with
and 7 minutes
s Mass sampl
sample
(g) e (g)
, after To calculate the density of the crude
(950 °
c)) carbon sample, sodium hydroxide was
0m 85 used as the solvent. Therefore, to
in 7 determine the density of the sample, the
1m 91 following calculation is used:
in 6
2m 93 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝜌𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 − 𝜌𝑀𝑖𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 =
in 1
Volat 3m 94 Taking into account the data obtained it
ile 11, 12,4 11,74 in 4 is necessary to:
matte 446 62 03 4m 95
r in 0 Table 6. Data obtained for the carbon
5m 95 density in sodium hydroxide as solvent:
in 0
6m 95 Mass Mass
in 0 pycnome pycnome
Physic
7m 95 Empty ter with ter +
al
pycnome sample sample +
in 0 Analy
ter mass and hydroxid
sis
hydroxid e after
e 24 hours
%𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 Densit
1,016 𝑔 − 0,721 𝑔 7,253 g 7,752 g 8,980 g
y
=
1,016 𝑔
∗ 100 = 29,03%
Charcoal with a lot of volatile matter
ignites easily but when burning it
produces smoke. Low volatile coal has
%Volatile matter = 29,03% − 3,42% difficulty in igniting and its combustion
= 25,61% is very clean. A good commercial
charcoal may have a net volatile
4. Density: (moisture-free) content of about 30%.
Carbon with a lot of volatile substance
is less brittle than common combustion
coal with low volatility # so it produces
less fine carbon during transport and
handling. It is also more hygroscopic
and therefore has a higher natural
moisture content.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Barrera, R., Pérez, J., & Salazar, C. (2014).

Colombian coals: classification and
thermochemical characterization
for energy applications. Grupo
CERES, Departamento de ingeniería
química, 43-54.

A. Pulgar & M. Olay. Ciencia y tecnología

del carbón. Oviedo 2002.

J. Speight. The chemistry and tecnology of

coal. New York, 1994.

Capítulo 10. Uso eficiente del carbón.

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