The oxidization of coal

Abstract

The oxidation of coal is generally explained by the radical-chain hypothesis. Detection of active centers and free radicals is possible by methods available today, and the formation of methyl, methylene, phenol, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups and their interaction with oxygen and water molecules may be described. Oxidation results in heating and self-combustion of coal on open storage. For each coal, there is a critical temperature (~60°C) beyond which the heating rate sharply rises and self-ignition becomes possible. The activation energy of coal oxidation in the range 0–140°C is found to be 13.4–53.6 kJ/mol. The activation energy is greatest for bituminous Zh coal.