Physiochemical Assessment of Pakistani Thar Coal, A Solution for Sustainable Energy Crises and Reduced Environmental Impacts
Physiochemical Assessment of Pakistani Thar Coal, A Solution for Sustainable Energy Crises and Reduced Environmental Impacts
Jawad Abdullah Butt1*, Yasmin Nergis1, Ahmad Hussain2 and Mughal Sharif1
ABSTRACT
Pakistan has enormous coal reserves and needs to recognize the latest technology concerning coal. Coal combustion is receiving too much attention about electricity production and pollution control. This study is aimed to evaluate the characteristic parameters of Thar local coal samples from Block-II and adjacent Block-VI for toxicity consideration and to estimate the potential of Thar coal assets for environment-friendly consumption in power production. In the current study, forty Thar coal samples from each Block II and adjacent Block VI were analyzed for their physicochemical and pyrolysis properties with the chemical configuration of coal ashes. The mean moisture content found in both Thar coal blocks (44.28-47.76%) respectively high as a similar volatile matter (31.06-32.54%) and low ash (6.71-6.95%). The mean sulfur percentage in both Thar coal (0.79-1.05%) was also found moderate to low. Mean calorific values (5260-6339 Btu/lb) of local coals show their potential as a future fuel. In the coal ash analysis, it can be realized that mostly ash contents are comprised of organic substances and the major compounds are SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CaO. In Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) analysis, Pyrolytic heating rate and temperature were established to have important effects on the pyrolysis of Thar Coal. Kinetic constraints (frequency factor and activation energy) were gained by curve-fitting the investigational data. For electricity generation, the utilization of Thar coal assets is not limited to their burning, but additional steps must be taken to utilize the tools to reduce the pollution volume of coal and its harmful impacts on the environment. Innovative tools with advanced efficacy and fewer environmental impacts are essential to handle these low-rank coals and to transform them into energy e.g., Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor (CFBC) and other Clean Coal Technologies (CCT).
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December 2021
Vol. 40, Iss. 2, pp. 91-134
