PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF COAL

Jitle Dawn M. Maghinay, Nassef B. Musor, Alvin A. Narbuada, Jessa M.

Quimno
Department of Materials and Resources Engineering & Technology
College of Engineering and Technology, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, 9200
Iligan City

Abstract: Proximate Analysis and Ultimate Analysis are used to analyze and classify
coal. This study only conducted the Proximate Analysis of Coal which is composed of
the analysis of moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash, and calorific value. Using
the given data from the bomb calorimeter, the corrected temperature rise (t) was found
by determining the difference between the temperature at the time in which the rate of
the temperature has begun to become constant (t12min=27.98 oC) and temperature at the
time of firing (t6min=26.74 oC), yielding a value of 1.24 oC.

Key words: Coal, Calorific Value, and Proximate Analysis

off during pyrolysis, (c) fixed carbon,

Introduction
Coal, a solid flammable rock, is the non-volatile fraction of coal, and (d)
formed through sedimentation of plants ash, the inorganic residue remaining
that have undergone peatification and after combustion. It is presented as a
subsequent coalification. Plant group of test methods that has been
substances accumulated in prehistoric used widely as the basis for coal
swamps to form peat deposits which characterization in connection with coal
were buried through the movement of utilization. The methods for the
the earth's crust, flood, etc. and were determination of the total moisture in
carbonized under the pressure and the coal have been placed into the
heat of the earth over a long time [1]. following categories: thermal methods,
There are two methods to analyze coal a desiccator method, distillation
which are the proximate analysis and method, chemical methods, and
ultimate analysis. Proximate Analysis is electrical methods. The determination
formally defined by a group of ASTM3 of the volatile matter content of coal is
test methods and is an assay of the an important determination because
moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, volatile matter data are an integral part
and ash content of a coal sample [2]. of coal classification systems and also
Ultimate Analysis a method of form the basis of evaluating coals for
reporting the major organic elemental their suitability for combustion and
composition of coal (carbon, hydrogen, carbonization [3]. This study also deals
nitrogen, sulfur, and ash.). This study with the calorific value which is a
only focuses on Proximate Analysis of measure of the amount of energy
Coal. produced from a unit weight of coal
The Proximate Analysis of Coal when it is combusted in oxygen. A
separates the products into four groups: measured sample of coal is completely
(a) moisture, (b) volatile matter, combusted in a bomb calorimeter,
consisting of gases and vapors driven which is a device for measuring heat
[4].

MMT153 1st Sem SY: 2021-2022 1

Prof. Myra Cabatingan
Experiment No. 1
September 23, 2021

This study source was downloaded by 100000853789999 from CourseHero.com on 10-15-2024 01:21:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/110550418/MMT153-Proximate-Analysis-1pdf/
 Objectives with the lid and cool. And lastly, weigh
The main objective of this the dish to find the loss in the weight of
experiment is to determine the calorific coal due to presence of moisture.
value of a coal using the bomb Formula:
calorimeter. Specifically, this study % 𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
aims to: 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑
1. To determine the proximate =
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
analysis and calorific value of 𝑊2 − 𝑊3
coal. = × 100%
𝑊2 − 𝑊3
Significance of the Study Volatile Matter
This experimental test is essential in First, heat a clean crucible and its lid
order to determine the proximate at 900±15°C for 7 minutes in muffle
analysis and calorific value of a coal furnace. Second, allow the crucible and
using the bomb calorimeter. This test lid to cool on a metal plate for a minute
must be performed well so as to know and in desiccator for 10 minutes. Third,
how to operate the machine and avoid weigh the crucible and lid together.
accidents while doing the task. Fourth, put near 1gm sample and weigh
again to know the exact mass. Then
Materials insert the crucible with the lid on it into
Materials used in conducting the the furnace at 900°C and keep there for
experiment for determining the a period of 7minutes. Lastly, weigh the
proximate analysis of coal are porcelain crucible with the lid on it to know the
crucible, sieve screen, tong, desiccator, weight loss due to expulsion of volatile
muffle furnace, oven, analytical matter.
balance, and coal sample. Formula:
(𝑊2 − 𝑊3 ) × 100%
Methods % 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠 =
𝑊2 − 𝑊1
In the procedure of this experiment,
− 𝑀1
the Proximate Analysis of Coal
separates the products into four groups,
Ash Content
which are, (a) moisture content, (b)
First, follow the steps 1 to 3 of
volatile matter, (c) ash content, (d)
moisture determination. Second, insert
fixed carbon. And lastly we will
the open dish in the furnace at 815°C for
conduct the procedure in getting the (e)
an hour and then remove the dish; allow
calorific value.
it cool for 10 minutes on the slab and 15
minutes in the desiccator. Lastly, weigh
Moisture Content
the dish to find the mass left which is
First, Dry the silica dish in an oven
the content of the coal of the coal.
and weigh. Second, spread out about
Formula:
1gm of 20mesh coal sample on the dish.
% 𝐴𝑠ℎ
Third, weigh the dish again to find the 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
exact mass or the sample. Fourth, Heat =
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
the dish without any cover in the oven 𝑊3 − 𝑊1
at about 105±50°C for 1 hour. Then, = × 100%
𝑊2 − 𝑊1
take out the dish from the oven, cover it
MMT153 1st Sem SY: 2021-2022 2
Prof. Myra Cabatingan
Experiment No. 1
September 23, 2021

This study source was downloaded by 100000853789999 from CourseHero.com on 10-15-2024 01:21:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/110550418/MMT153-Proximate-Analysis-1pdf/
 Fixed Carbon Results and Discussions
Fixed Carbon is not determined The change in temperature for the
directly, but is taken to be everything combustion of coal was plotted versus
other than what has already been time to determine the initial
measured. Thus it can be calculated temperature for test period, temperature
from. for rise period, and final temperature for
Formula: test period. These temperatures were
% 𝐹𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑛
used to find the change in temperature
= 100 − (% 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
during combustion.
+ % 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑒
+ % 𝑎𝑠ℎ)
BOMB C ALOR IMETER
Calorific Value of Coal using Bomb 28.2
Calorimeter 28
First, Weigh about 1g coal pellet and 27.8

Temperature °C
introduce it into the bomb. Second, add 27.6
27.4
1ml of distilled water and connect the
27.2
fuse to the lid wires. Third, pressurize
27
the bomb with oxygen and place it 26.8
inside the jacket. Fourth, fill the jacket 26.6 Time (seconds)
with 2000ml of water. Temperature of 0 500 1000 1500
water must be 2°C less than the room
temperature. Fifth, assemble the
calorimeter and run the motor for 5
minutes. Sixth, record the temperature Figure 1. A plot of temperature as a
of the water bath accurately using a function of time for the combustion of
precision thermometer at an interval of coal. Line at time=360s the coal was
1 minute for 6 minutes and ignite the fired, and line at time=600s is the
charge at the start of 6th minute. maximum temperature.
Sevenths, keep recording the
temperature every minute till constant TABLE 1. RAW DATA FOR THE
temperature is attained. Eighth, open COMBUSTION OF COAL
the bomb carefully. Ninth, wash all the Wt. of coal Pellet + water
interior surfaces of the bomb with the (g) 0.757
jet of distilled water and collect the Wt. of coal Pellet + water 13.61
washings in the beaker. Tenth, remove capsule (g) 3
all unburned pieces of the fuse wire and 12.85
measure the length of the pieces. And Wt. of the Capsule 6
last but not the least, collect and weigh Wt. of Wire (g) 0.017
the residual ash. Caution: Never
Length of the Wire (cm) 10
approach the top of the bomb due to
Wt. of Unfused Wire (g) 0.007
danger of explosion.
Length of the unfused Wire
(cm) 4.9

MMT153 1st Sem SY: 2021-2022 3

Prof. Myra Cabatingan
Experiment No. 1
September 23, 2021

This study source was downloaded by 100000853789999 from CourseHero.com on 10-15-2024 01:21:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/110550418/MMT153-Proximate-Analysis-1pdf/
 The corrected temperature rise (t) of temperature has begun to become
the bomb calorimeter was found by constant. By this information, we have
determining the difference between the calculated the corrected temperature
temperatures at time in which the rate of rise, yielding a value of 1.24 oC. The
the temperature has begun to become students have also concluded that
o
constant (t12min=27.98 C) and proximate analysis is necessary since it
temperature at time of firing is the basis of establishing the rank of
(t6min=26.74 oC), yielding a value of coals, and determine the ratio of
1.24 oC. combustible to incombustible
constituents. As a result, it can provide
Points of Discussion enough information in buying/selling
1. What are the significance of the and even evaluate coal for various
various parameters in purposes.
proximate analysis?
Answer: The importance of the various References
proximate analysis is that it covers the
determination of moisture, volatile [1] Ishihara,A., Kabe, T., Kabe, Y.,
matter, fixed carbon, and ash in coals Qian, E.W., & Sutrisna, I.P. (2004).
and cokes. It is also used to establish the Methods of Classification and
rank of coals, and to show the ratio of Characterization of Coal. Studies in
combustible to incombustible Surface Science and Catalysis, 1–79.
constituents. As a result, it can provide https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-
the basis for buying/selling and even 2991(04)80006-5
evaluate coal for various purposes.
[2] Donahue, C. & Rais, A. (2009).
2. Determine the relationship of Proximate Analysis, 86(2), pg. 222.
getting the fixed carbon and https://doi.org/10.1021/ed086p222
calorific value of coal.
Answer: By definition and its process, [3] Speight, J. (2015). Proximate
calorific value is related to elemental Analysis. Retrieved from
analysis of biomass. Thus, the fixed https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.
carbon content of biomass can be easily 1002/9781119037699.ch5
connected with the calorific value since
it has a positive effect on the energy [4] Calorific Value. (2019). Retrieved
potential of biomass. An increase in the from
percentage of fixed carbon in coal will https://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/coal-
be followed by an increase of calorific analyses-calorific-value.php#
value.

Conclusion
Based on the given data from the
bomb calorimeter, we were only able to
determine the time and temperature at
the start of firing and temperature at the
time in which the rate of the

MMT153 1st Sem SY: 2021-2022 4

Prof. Myra Cabatingan
Experiment No. 1
September 23, 2021

This study source was downloaded by 100000853789999 from CourseHero.com on 10-15-2024 01:21:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/110550418/MMT153-Proximate-Analysis-1pdf/
 MMT153 1st Sem SY: 2021-2022 5
Prof. Myra Cabatingan
Experiment No. 1
September
This study source was downloaded 23, 2021 from CourseHero.com on 10-15-2024 01:21:41 GMT -05:00
by 100000853789999

https://www.coursehero.com/file/110550418/MMT153-Proximate-Analysis-1pdf/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)