The Effect of Particle Size on Ignition Characteristics of Pulverized High-Volatile Bituminous Coal

A cylindrical-shape, horizontal furnace was used to investigate the effect of particle size on the pulverized coal combustion behavior. Three differently-sized fractions (5, 30, and 44 microns in average diameter) of high-volatile bituminous coal, were burned in the test furnace. Ignition characteristics of pulverized coal flame were determined through the amount of methane in the carrier gas for the self-sustaining flame. Easiest ignition occurred with the immediately-sized coal particles. Ignition of coal jet flame appeared to occur through a gas-phase homogeneous process for particles larger than 30 microns. Below this limiting size, heterogeneous process probably dominated ignition of coal flame. Oxygen concentration of combustion air was varied up to 50%, to determine the oxygen-enrichment effect on the coal ignition behavior. Oxygen enrichment of primary air assisted ignition behavior of pulverized coal flame. However, enrichment of secondary air didn't produce any effect on the ignition behavior.