what amount Air is Required for Burning the Coal?

The most important requirement to burn coal is the correct quantity of air. This article explains how to calculate the correct quantity of air.Coal is the most widely used fuel source used to produce electricity. Air is necessary to provide oxygen for burning coal. It is the chemical reaction between carbon in coal and the oxygen in the air that produces heat energy.



Elements in Coal

There are three elements in coal that combine with oxygen in the air duing the combustion process. The most important element is carbon. This makes up about 30% to 60% of the substance. Hydrogen makes up about 1% to 3% and Sulphur, 0.3% to 3%.

The other elements found in coal are nitrogen, which can make up about 1% to 2% of the substance, and oxygen, 5 % to 12%. Oxygen is also used up in the combustion process. The exact amounts of each element depends on the type and rank of coal, how the coal was formed millions of years ago and the location or mines from which the coal is sourced.

Stoichiometric or Theoretical Air Quantity

Theoretical Air Quality is calculated based on the chemical reaction between the elements and oxygen.

Carbon combines with oxygen to form carbon-dioxide and heat.
C+ O2 > CO2

1 C +32/12 O > 44/12 CO2

1 kg Carbon +2.67 kg Oxygen > 3.67 kg Carbon Dioxide

Hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water and heat
2 H2+ O2> 2H2O

1 H +32/4 O >36/4 H2O

1 kg Hydrogen +8 kg Oxygen >9 kg Water

Sulphur combines with oxygen to form sulphur dioxide
S + O2 > SO2