Derek Stuart, Global Product Manager – Power, looks at why early detection of potential spontaneous heating and combustion locations in coal milling is essential to plant safety.
All coals oxidise during storage, but sub-bituminous coals (such as those from the Powder River Basin), due to their friability and porosity, are especially prone to spontaneous combustion. The increasing use of sub-bituminous coals throughout the world has therefore increased the risks of grinding mill incidents. Avoiding spontaneous combustion in the milling process is essential for personnel safety and asset protection.
The greatest risk of spontaneous heating and subsequent fire occurs when the mill is shut down under load, as this leaves a large amount of pulverised fuel inside a hot mill. The large surface area of the pulverised coal and the high temperature inside the mill can lead to the rapid oxidation of the coal. This results in further heat build-up and the potential for a fire.
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