Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology

Department of Metallurgical Engineering

____________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 2: PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF COAL

By

Arvin-Ivan P. Milanes

Esmael Taib

A laboratory report

submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the Metallurgical Analysis Course (MET E 112)

Prof. Liberty Lumasag

Instructor

Mar 14, 2017

I. Abstract

Coal is an all-natured material found mainly in underground deposits which is very much
useful in industrial matters. Analysis on this material has hence garnered a good result since it
all came by naturally. Analysis shows the quality and precise chemical composition of a
material. In this procedure, a coal sample is being examined and studied under the uses of
moisture, volatile compounds, ash content and fixed carbon content.

This activity uses proximate analysis processes: Moisture content method- a test method
which covers the determination of moisture in the analysis sample of coal. Determination of
moisture is carried out by placing a sample of powdered raw coal in an uncovered crucible and
it is placed in an oven at a temperature, cooled and then weighed. The loss in weight represents
moisture. Secondly, the Ash content method covers the determination of the inorganic residue
as ash in the analysis sample of coal. Thirdly, the Volatile matter method determines the
percentage of gaseous products, exclusive of moisture vapor, in the analysis sample which are
released under the specific conditions of the test. This activity further investigates the behavior
of coal and some reactions upon undergoing proximate analyses.

II. Experimental Method

For the Moisture Determination Analysis, an empty capsule was being heated in a drying
oven for an hour at 104-110C and then with its cover. After heating, the capsule is then cooled
over a desiccant for 15 to 30 minutes. A 1-gram scoop spatula of a coal is then quickly placed to
the capsule and then it gets weighed. Then, the capsule with no cover is placed in the
preheated oven at 104-110C and heated for an hour. Lastly, the capsule is being covered
quickly and brought to the dessicator and weighed as soon as the capsule reached room
temperature.

In the Ash Determination Analysis, the capsule without the cover with the dried coal
sample from the Moisture Determination Activity is placed in a cold furnace and is being heated
gradually at 450 to 500 C. Then, the coal sample is heated again so that a final temperature of
700 to 750C will be reached at the end of the second hour. The coal sample is being heated
continuously for additional 2 hours. After heating in such a time, the capsule is being removed
from the furnace and the cover is then immediately placed on the capsule. And lastly, it is then
cooled in a desiccator and weighed.
 For the Volatile Matter Determination Analysis, a 1- gram of coal sample is being
weighed in a crucible with its cover and placed in the furnace at 950C. The crucible then gets
checked if the lid is still properly sealed after expecting some rapid changes due to the presence
of heat under time. After heating for a total of exactly 7 minutes, the crucible is then removed
from the furnace allowing it to cool without getting the cover disturbed. Finally, the crucible is
then weighed after getting cooled.

III. Results and Discussions

Table 3.1 Tabular Data for Moisture Determination

Initial Weight of Weight of capsule Remaining Moisture

capsule after heating, W2 coal sample, content, %
(w/o cover) + 1 g of (g) (g)
coal, W1 (g)
28.384 28.192 0.192 19.2

W 1W 2 28.38428.192
Moisture content , = 100 = 100 =14
initial g of coal 1

The activity was mostly consumed by oven- heating processes. This implicates the need
of presence of heat for determining the classification of the coal. As expected, the moisture
content of the sample appears to be lower. There may be several explanations for this outcome-
the samples might have been unintentionally spilled or the crucibles might have been
interchanged with the others crucible. Hence, most crucibles yield lower outcomes.

In this situation, it has been found out that the sample studied is subbituminous, based
on the table of Composition and Property ranges for various rank of Coal: Moisture% (Range
10-25: Subbituminous). Means, it is generally dark brown to black coal, intermediate in rank
between lignite and bituminous coal. These types of coals are quite useful and widely used for
generating steam power and industrial purposes. Probably the most common approach for
moisture determination is through weight loss upon heating.

Table 4.2 Tabular Data for Ash Determination

Weight of empty Weight of capsule, Initial weight Ash content, %

capsule and cover, cover, and ash of coal
 Wa, (g) residue, Wb, (g) sample, (g)

39.130 39.342 1 21.2

W b W a 39.34239.13 0
Ash content , = 100 = 100 =21.2
initial g of coal 1

Also, the ash content of coal sample is 21.2%. Ash content determination in coal relies
on weighing, with a high accuracy, about one gram of dry coal in a crucible and putting the
sample into a cold furnace. That is why it is mandatory for anyone who attempts to do this
activity to be careful enough. Next, the crucible is heated up to 450500oC within 1 hour. After 2
hours of heating at this temperature the roasting temperature is increased to 700750oC. At this
temperature the sample is kept for 2 hours. During ash determination a significant amount of air
is expected to have access to the furnace. Lastly, Volatile matter includes the components of
coal, which are liberated at high temperature in the absence of oxygen. Volatile matter is a key
health and safety concern as coals high in volatiles have an increased risk of spontaneous
combustion. Hence, this activity still proposes safety actions since it deals with heat and
spontaneous combustions.

IV. Conclusions

Based on the table of the Composition and Property Ranges for Various Ranks of Coal,
it has been perceived that the coal being studied is subbituminous, also called black lignite.
Also, the sample's ash content is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the original coal
sample. The coal sample of 19.2% moisture passes the ASTM standards ranging from 1.0
21.9%. The ash content determined in the latter process is equivalent to 21.2%. According to

ASTM D3174-73/79, the relative precision of 250- m (No. 60) samples for ash

determination test method covers the range from 2.68-17.86%. Hence, the coal analyzed did
not pass the ASTM standards for ash content.
 In general, proximate analysis methods are quite functional and useful in determining the
class in which this material belongs. Proximate analysis helps in giving a vague idea about the
quality of coal, which is very much helpful in the future working industries. Ash, volatile matter,
moisture are key parameters to be determined for estimating the quality of solid fuel materials.

V. References

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Standard Test Method for Moisture
in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken,
United States. https://www.scribd.com/doc/166533042/D3173-11-pdf#scribd (Accessed 2016-
03-25).

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Standard Test Method for Ash in the
Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke from Coal. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, United States. https://www.scribd.com/doc/170246036/D3174 (Accessed
2016-03-25).