Introduction: Combustion Fundamentals

1. During combustion, Ash layer forms over the coal/coke particle.

2. This ash layer controls the diffusion (entry) of O2 to the coke for burning and produced
CO2 (exit) gas.

3. Combustion rate/energy release rate is dependent of diffusion rate of gasses through

ash layer.

4. Characteristics of ash layer depends on composition of ash, thickness of ash layer,

porosity of ash layer, turbulence etc.
• Smaller particle sizes faster combustion
• Higher VM ensures easy combustion
• Higher FC ensures late but steady heat release
• Higher moisture: heat loss, pores helps in oxygen adsorption and faster
combustion
• Higher ash: slow combustion rate, low combustible material, slagging and
fouling in boiler
• Ash composition: ash fusion temperature (AFT), abrasive nature (AI),
hardness of coal (HGI)—related to coal handling system lifespan and
axillary power consumption-heat transfer rate in pores-porosity change

• Higher hydrogen: presence of low MW hydrocarbon, saturated HC---

better, unstable combustion---low CO2 emission
• Higher carbon: presence of high MW hydrocarbon, unsaturated/aromatic
HC---smooth combustion---high CO2 emission
• High sulfur: SOX emission
• Organic S (HC-S), inorganic S (CaSO4) & pyritic S (CU2S)
• Limit: 1% max
Schematic diagram of NETZSCH STA449 F3 Jupiter TGA.
 100 0

Peak combustion rate

90 -1

DTG (mass loss % / minute)

Burnout temperature
Ig
nt
80 -2

io
n
te
TGA ( mass %)

m
70 -3

pe
ra
tu
re
60 -4

50 -5

40 -6

30 TGA DTG -7
Peak temperature
20 -8
100 200 300 400 500 600 700
O
Temperature ( C)
Typical TGA-DTG curve of coal combustion and burning profile parameters.

TGA/DTG/DSC profile is figure print of any solid fuel: either pyrolysis (N2) or combustion (O2)
Any mass loss change represents some physic-chemical change is fuel with temperature, for
some particular type of hydrocarbon reacting to heat and O2/N2
 Burning profile and characteristic temperatures (ICT, PT, BT)
Initially coal loses moisture around the temperature of 100OC. Then, at about
300-400 OC release of volatile matter (VM) starts. This VM easily catches fire
and makes coal primarily FC component of coal ready to “start combustion”.
After that coal starts burning and weight loss and major energy release occurs.

 Initial Combustion 100 0

Temperature (ICT): Rate of 90 -2

O

DTG (wt loss % / minute)

BT 550 C
80 -4
weight loss accelerates due to ICT 377 C
O

TGA ( wt %)
70 -6
the onset of combustion of char
60 -8
 Peak Temperature (PT): Rate of TGA DTG
50 -10
weight loss is maximum
40 -12

 Burn Temperature (BT): 30 -14

O
Weight of residue becomes PT 424 C
20 -16
100 200 300 400 500 600 700
constant at the completion of Temperature ( C)
O

burning.
 Combustion Fundamentals: Remarks

 Coal combustion rate largely depends on Fuel Ratio (FC/VM), VM content, C/H Ratio.
 Coal with similar burning profile is expected to behave similarly in a full scale boiler.
 For blending, Burning profile, AFT, HGI, Abrasion index should be very close.
 Burning of High ash coal, Low VM coal is very time consuming.
 By comparing burning profile of an unknown coal with that of a coal with known full
scale performance, compatibility can be judged.
 Compatibility of characteristics of two coals must be assessed before blending to avoid
combustion related problems.
 Optimum blend ratio needs to be determined and maintained during blending (Based on
AFT, Burning Profile & HGI)
• Effect of combustion heating rate, oxygen/air flow rate etc. on combustion.
• Effect of mineral matter type and content in the combustion process
• Effect of volatile matter content, moisture content of coal in combustion
process
• Effect of coal feed rate on combustion process
• Effect to additives on combustion process, flue gas composition
• Effect of particle size on coal combustion and fly ash characteristics
• Effect of coal blending with varying coal ratio from various sources.