Title: A new approach for the prediction of combustible sulphur in coal in terms of coal washability data and calorific value

Authors: Gokhan Sarıhan; Sait Kizgut; Serdar Yilmaz; Mehmet Bilen

Addresses: Turkish Hardcoal Enterprise (TTK), 67100, Zonguldak, Turkey ' Department of Mining Engineering, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, 67100, Zonguldak, Turkey ' Department of Mining Engineering, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, 67100, Zonguldak, Turkey ' Department of Mining Engineering, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, 67100, Zonguldak, Turkey

Abstract: In this study, determination of petrographical properties and washability characterisation for Uzulmez District (Zonguldak coal basin) coals were realised. In the context of this study, it was proposed that each coal seam has its own function for total sulphur content and calorific value. The reason behind calorific value steep decrease from float fraction to sink fraction and corresponding total sulphur amount increase from sink fraction to float fraction was discussed. The discussion furtherly resulted in understanding of combustible and non-combustible distribution of sulphur and a new method of determining this proportion was proposed. The overall evaluation showed that the combustible sulphur percentages analysed (both in coal and ash) and predicted has correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.90 for PIC, 0.78 for PIRIC, 0.79 for NASIFOGLU and 0.85 for SULU coal seams, respectively. Corresponding correlation coefficients were regarded as significant since they are in a same manner with respect to washability tendencies. [Received: March 15, 2019; Accepted: August 7, 2020]

Keywords: Zonguldak coal; petrographic analysis; density cleaning; float and sink; washability; size fractions; combustible sulphur; non-combustible sulphur; clean coal; total sulphur; calorific value; modelling; sulphur in ash.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2021.116682

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2021 Vol.27 No.4, pp.469 - 491

Accepted: 07 Aug 2020
Published online: 29 Jul 2021 *

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