Study of Kinetics of Iron Minerals in Coal by 57Fe Mössbauer and FT-IR Spectroscopy During Natural Burning

Abstract

The process of burning of sulphur rich coal from Jaipur mine in North-Eastern India was carried out at a temperature of (675 ± 5) °C for different time intervals. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was applied to study the reaction products of iron compounds in each step of thermal treatment. The transformation of Szomolnokite (FeSO4·H2O) and Pyrite (FeS2) in the as received coal sample finally transformed to γ-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3. Other clay minerals produce some low spin silicate ash. Fourier Transmission Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy gives the ratio of several structural parameters such as H ar/H al and H ar/C ar. DTA analysis of the coal sample gives the exothermic reaction at different temperatures. TGA and TG analysis of the coal sample in an inert atmosphere shows the weight loss of the coal sample in different temperature ranges.