What is it about?
Decomposition moisture is the moisture that evolves from the decomposition of organic materials such as humic acids when coals are heated to temperatures of 200 – 250 degrees C. The amount of this moisture is relatively small but quite reactive in the decomposition of coal materials. A series of thermogravimetric analysis experiments were used to detect and quantify the amount of decomposition moisture in several coals. This paper reports the first known quantification of decomposition moisture in coals.
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Why is it important?
The experiments used to quantify decomposition moisture in coals can be used to study why some coals are more reactive that others. This information would be useful in the explanation of coal combustion and coal conversion processes.
Perspectives
The study that led to this publication was initiated in an effort to explain the differences that occur when different procedures are used in analytical tests to determine quality parameters for coals. The measurement of volatile matter yields from coals is done using empirical procedures. Trying to understand why these procedures give quite different results has troubled coal and fuel scientist for several decades. Understanding the role decomposition moisture plays in these measurements will be quite helpful.
Dr. John T Riley
Western Kentucky University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Decomposition Moisture—The Hidden Reactive Constituent in Coal, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, August 2020, ASTM International,
DOI: 10.1520/jte20200224.
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