Coal Properties and Testing Analysis

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Questions and Answers

What is the formula to calculate Fixed Carbon?

$FC = 100 - VCM - Ash$

$FC = 100 - N - VCM - Ash$ (correct)

$FC = 100 - N - Ash$

$FC = N + VCM + Ash$

Which element is primarily responsible for the combustible properties of coal?

Sulfur

Carbon (correct)

Hydrogen

Oxygen

Which analysis provides a precise chemical composition of coal?

Ultimate analysis (correct)

Moisture analysis

Combustion analysis

Proximate analysis

Which fuel is primarily used in internal combustion engines?

Gasoline Signup and view all the answers

At what temperature range is kerosene collected through fractional distillation?

302° to 527° Fahrenheit Signup and view all the answers

How is the nitrogen content of most coals typically characterized?

1-2% Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between oxygen and carbon content in coal?

Inversely related Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)?

Heating appliances Signup and view all the answers

Which rank of coal has a fixed carbon content of greater than 98%?

Meta anthracite Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic describes paraffin wax?

White, odorless, tasteless solid Signup and view all the answers

What is bitumen also commonly known as?

Tar Signup and view all the answers

What does the proximate analysis of coal measure?

Moisture, volatile combustible matter, fixed carbon, and ash Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical carbon content range for most coals classified as high volatile A?

Less than 69% Signup and view all the answers

How are lubricating oils primarily manufactured?

Hydrocracking Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fuels is NOT typically used in portable stoves?

Bitumen Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of petrochemical?

Kerosene Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of petroleum that requires particular considerations for storage?

Requires special storage tanks Signup and view all the answers

Which type of crude petroleum is mainly composed of saturated hydrocarbons?

Paraffinic Base Type Crude Petroleum Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical boiling point range for diesel fuel during its production?

392° to 662° Fahrenheit Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main uses of asphalt refined from a colloid of asphaltenes and maltenes?

To make roads Signup and view all the answers

Which component is typically produced from the heavier fractions of crude oil during fractional distillation?

Heavy fuel oil Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the fractional distillation column in refining petroleum?

To separate petroleum into various constituents Signup and view all the answers

What type of petroleum product is produced from light fractions at lower temperatures?

Kerosene Signup and view all the answers

How is asphalt typically hardened after being separated from crude oil?

Through a process called 'blowing' with oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the main constituent of natural gas?

Methane Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of using gaseous fuels?

Requires very large storage tanks Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic describes the self-ignition temperature of natural gas?

537-540 degree Celsius Signup and view all the answers

What process is used to separate methanol from heavier alcohols?

Distillation Signup and view all the answers

Why is natural gas considered a cleaner fuel compared to other types of fuel?

It has lower emissions and environmental impact. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)?

Primarily consists of propane Signup and view all the answers

What type of fuel is produced by heating coal in the absence of air?

Coal gas Signup and view all the answers

How does natural gas behave in terms of its physical properties?

Colorless, odorless, and disperses upward Signup and view all the answers

What byproduct gas is produced during the reduction of iron ore by coke in a blast furnace?

Blast furnace gas Signup and view all the answers

Which gas is primarily produced by passing steam and air through a bed of red-hot coal or coke?

Water gas Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of producer gas?

Carbon monoxide Signup and view all the answers

What process is responsible for the production of biogas?

Decomposition of organic matter Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical temperature range maintained in digesters for biogas production?

30 to 40 °C Signup and view all the answers

Which gaseous fuel is known for being obtained through low- and medium-temperature coal gasification?

Town gas Signup and view all the answers

Which gas is produced industrially by reforming natural gas in the presence of a nickel catalyst?

Hydrogen Signup and view all the answers

What does LHV stand for in terms of heating value for gaseous fuels?

Lower heating value Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Coal Properties

Coal's heating value is reduced by the presence of moisture and ash.
The formula to calculate Fixed Carbon: $FC = 100 - N - VCM - Ash$
Comparing only the combustible part of coals requires knowing the heating value unaffected by moisture or ash.
Values of fixed carbon, volatile matter, and calorific values are corrected to a moisture and ash-free basis for accurate comparison.

Coal Testing Analysis

Proximate analysis determines the moisture, volatile combustible matter, fixed carbon, and ash content of coal. This analysis indicates the heating and burning properties of coal.
Ultimate analysis identifies the chemical composition of coal with respect to elements like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and ash.
- Carbon and hydrogen are the primary combustible elements in coal, with carbon being the predominant one.
- Nitrogen content is typically in the range of 1-2% for most coals.
- Oxygen content is inversely related to carbon content. Higher oxygen content makes coal easier to ignite.
- Sulfur content varies greatly among coals.

Coal Classification

Coals are ranked into different classes and groups based on their properties, including fixed carbon, volatile matter, and heating value.

Petroleum

Petroleum is a mineral oil found deep in the earth's crust and is mainly composed of hydrocarbons.
An average crude oil can yield to 20 to 30% of gasoline, 30 to 45% of intermediate fractions, and 25 to 50% of residual fuel oil.

Petroleum Classification

Paraffinic Base Type Crude Petroleum: Primarily composed of saturated hydrocarbons and small amounts of napthenes and aromatics.
Asphaltic Base Type Crude Petroleum: Primarily contains cycloparaffins or napthenes with smaller amounts of paraffins and aromatic hydrocarbons.
Mixed Base Type Crude Petroleum: Contains both paraffinic and asphaltic hydrocarbons and are generally rich in semisolid waxes.

Petroleum Products

Asphalt: A colloid of asphaltenes and maltenes, commonly used in road construction. Separated from crude oil by fractional distillation and hardened through a process called "blowing."
Diesel: Produced by fractional distillation and has a higher density than gasoline.
Fuel Oil: Liquid petroleum product burned to generate heat. There are six classes of fuel oil:
- Distillate fuel oil
- Diesel fuel oil
- Light fuel oil
- Gasoil
- Residual fuel oil
- Heavy fuel oil
Gasoline: A mixture of paraffins, naphthenes, and olefins, with ratios determined by the refinery.
Kerosene: Collected through fractional distillation. It is a clear, combustible liquid used as jet fuel and heating fuel.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): A mixture of gases like propane and butane used for heating appliances, aerosol propellants, and refrigerants.
Lubricating Oil: Manufactured through special processes for reducing friction and wear.
Paraffin Wax: A white, odorless, tasteless solid at room temperature. It is an excellent electrical insulator and used in various applications, including candles and building insulation.
Bitumen: A thick, black, sticky material used in paving roads, waterproofing, and soundproofing.
Petrochemicals: Chemical products made from raw materials of petroleum.
Ethanol: Obtained from the fermentation of sugars, followed by fractional distillation.

Gaseous Fuels

Advantages of gaseous fuels:
- Easy transportation through pipelines.
- Eliminates manual labor in transportation.
- Light easily.
- Free from impurities found in solid and liquid fuels.
Disadvantages of gaseous fuels:
- Requires large storage tanks.
- Highly inflammable, increasing fire hazards.

Natural Gas

Often associated with petroleum deposits and obtained from wells dug in oil-bearing regions.
Methane is the primary constituent, accounting for about 95% of its volume.
Other components: Ethane, Propane, Butane, Pentane, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, and traces of other gases.

Natural Gas Characteristics

Formed millions of years ago from plant and animal remains.
A hydrocarbon component with methane as the main component.
Colorless and odorless, with a commercial odorant added for safety.
Lighter than air and quickly disperses upward.
Self-ignition temperature of about 537-540 degrees Celsius.
Considered a clean fuel due to its cleaner burning nature and lower environmental impact compared to other fuels.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

A byproduct of natural gas processing or crude oil refining.
Primarily composed of propane but also contains varying amounts of butane, propylene, and butylenes.

Manufactured Gases

Important manufactured gaseous fuels derived from solid and liquid fuels:
- Coal gas: Obtained from carbonizing coal and used in metallurgical operations for providing a reducing atmosphere.
- Blast furnace gas: Byproduct flue gas obtained during iron ore reduction.
- Water gas: A mixture of CO and H2, made by alternatively passing steam and air through a bed of red-hot coal or coke.
- Producer gas: A mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with non-combustible gases like N2 and CO2.
- Biogas: Obtained from the decomposition of organic matter by bacterial action in closed digesters. It contains a significant percentage of CO2 and is a good fertilizer.
- Town gas: Low-temperature or lighting gas, obtained at low- and medium temperature coal gasification.
- Coke gas: Obtained at the high-temperature coal gasification.
- Hydrogen: Produced by reforming natural gas in the presence of a nickel catalyst.

Properties of Gaseous Fuels

Heating Value: The heat release per unit mass when the fuel reacts completely with oxygen.
- Higher Heating Value (HHV): When water is condensed.
- Lower Heating Value (LHV): When water is not condensed.
- Formula to calculate LHV: $LHV = HHV - \frac{mh_{fg}}{m_{fuel}}$

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts related to coal properties, including heating value, moisture, and ash effects. It also explores proximate and ultimate analyses, identifying the key components and burning characteristics of coal. Test your understanding of coal's chemical makeup and its implications on heating performance.