Carbon fixed

Fixed carbon is the material remaining after the determination of moisture, volatile matter, and ash. It is, in fact, a measure of the solid combustible material in coal after the expulsion of volatile matter, and like determination of the carbon residue of petroleum and petroleum products (Speight, 1999, 2001) represents the approximate yield of thermal coke from coal (Zimmerman, 1979). 

The fixed-carbon value is one of the values used in determining the efficiency of coal-burning equipment. It is a measure of the solid combustible material that remains after the volatile matter in coal has been removed. For this reason, it is also used as an indication of the yield of coke in a coking process. Fixed carbon plus ash essentially represents the yield of coke. Fixed-carbon values, corrected to a dry, mineral-matter-free basis, are used as parameters in the coal classification system (ASTM D-388). 

Data reporting (i.e., the statement of the results of the proximate analysis test methods) usually includes (in some countries but not in all countries) descriptions of the color of the ash and of the coke button. As an interesting comparison, the test for determining the carbon residue (Conradson), the coke-forming propensity of petroleum fractions and petroleum products (ASTM D-189 ASTM D-2416), advocates the use of more than one crucible. A porcelain crucible is used to contain the sample, and this is contained within two outer iron crucibles. This corresponds to the thermal decomposition of the sample in a limited supply of air (oxygen) and the measurement of the carbonaceous residue left at the termination of the test. 

As already mentioned, the fixed carbon is determined by the difference subtracting the ash and volatile matter masses from the dry sample mass. Hence, it is a measure of the solid combustible material and ranges typically between 35wt% (waf) for lignites and 98wt% (waf) for meta-anthracites [10]. 

The residue, remaining after the volatile matter of coal has been expelled, contains the mineral matter originally present and the non-volatile or Fixed carbon. The fixed carbon in coal is thus calculated as follows  

FC = % of fixed carbon VM % of volatile matter a = a factor that depends on the nature of volatile 

5 g of a coal sample was taken in a silica crucible weighing 19.35g. 

After heating in an electric oven at 105-110°C for 1 hour, the crucible weighed 21.765 g. The residue was then ignited at 700-750°C to a constant weight when the crucible weighed 19.595 g. 

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The capture of solar energy as fixed carbon in biomass via photosynthesis is the initial step in the growth of biomass. It is depicted by the equation... 

Wood material Volatile matter Fixed carbon Ash C H O N S HHV, " MT/kg... 

The description given apphes to DR processes that are based on the use of gaseous reductants ia shaft furnaces, batch retorts, and fluidized beds. In the processes that use sohd reductants, eg, coal (qv), the reduction is accomphshed to a minor extent first by volatiles and reduciag gases that are released as the coal is heated and then by CO that is formed by gasification of fixed carbon contained ia the coal char with CO2. Reductioa by sohd carboa and coal volatiles ia kilns is insignificant. 

Analysis. Analyses of a number of lignitic coals are given in Table 3. Figure 1, a distribution plot of 300 U.S. coals according to ASTM classification by rank, indicates the broad range of fixed carbon values (18). According to the ASTM classification, fixed carbon for both lignite and subbituminous coals has an upper limit of 69%, but in practice this value rarely exceeds 61%. 

In 1990, a test using scrap tires (2x2 in. I DE) to generate steam for electricity was conducted at the Elexsys plant. The I DE replaced 20% of the plant s coal. Results showed that IDE is an environmentally sound fuel. Particulate emissions were reduced by the lower ash content of IDE, volatile organic compounds (VOC) were reduced because of more efficient burning of I DE compared to coal, and carbon dioxide emissions were reduced because I DE contains half the fixed carbon found in coal. Nitrogen oxide, chlorine emissions, and metals were also reduced, and ferrous metals and dioxins were nondetectable (7). 

The proximate analysis of charcoal is 20-25% volatile matter, 70—75% fixed carbon, and 5% ash. Charcoal briquets have lower heating values than charcoal lumps, because of additives in the briquets. The higher heating value of lump charcoal is - 28 kJ/kg (12,000 Btu/lb). The higher heating value of briquets is 23 to 25 kj/kg ( -- 9,900-10,800 Btu/lb). 

Material and Energy Requirements. Material requirements per metric ton of carbide vary within moderate limits. On the basis of 95% available CaO in the lime and 88% fixed carbon in coke about 865 kg of lime and 494 kg of coke is required to produce a metric ton of calcium carbide of 80% purity. 

Graphite is frequently, although incorrectly, analyzed by the proximate method used for coal in which the volatile material is deterrnined by strongly beating the sample in a covered or luted cmcible. Some oxidation of the graphite always occurs so that the value obtained for volatile matter is high and thus the "fixed carbon" is too low. The method lacks both accuracy and precision. 

The ASTM Glassification. The ASTM classification system was adopted in 1938 as a standard means of specification. This system is used in the United States and in many other parts of the world, and is designated D388 in the ASTM Standards (18). The higher rank coals are specified by fixed carbon >69%, or for volatile matter <31%, on a dry, mineral-free basis. Lower rank coals are classified by calorific value on the moist, mineral-matter-free... 

Coals having 69% or more fixed carbon on the dry, mineral -m a tter-free basis are classified according to fixed carbon, regardless of gross calorific value. 

Analysis. The proximate analysis is based on determinations of volatile matter, moisture, and ash for a coal sample. Fixed carbon is then calculated by difference. Volatile matter is determined empirically by measuring the weight loss when coal is heated in a covered cmcible at either 950°C (ASTM D3175 or D5142) or 900°C (BS). 

Class Fixed carbon limits, % Volatile matter limits range, % Calorific value limits, J/kg ... 

Component Moisture Volatile matter Fixed carbon Non- combustible As collected Dry Moisture-and ash-free... 

Fixed carbon limits (dry, mineral-matter-free basis), % Volatile matter limits (dry, mineral-matter-free basis), % Gi (moist OSS calorific value limits mineral-matter-free basis) ... 

Fixed carbon, the residue left after the volatile matter is driven off, is calculated by subtrac ting from 100 the percentages of moisture, volatile matter, and ash of the proximate analysis. In addition to carbon, it may contain several tenths of a percent of hydrogen and oxygen, 0.4 to 1.0 percent nitrogen, and about half of the sulfur that was in the coal. 

Peat Peat is partially decomposed plant matter that has accumulated underwater or in a water-saturated environment. It is the precursor of coal but is not classified as coal. Sold under the term peat moss or moss peat, peat is used in the United States mainly for horticultural and agricultural apphcations, but interest is growing in its use as a fuel in certain local areas (e.g.. North Carolina). Peat is used extensively as a fuel primarily in Ireland and the former Soviet Union. Although analyses of peat vary widely, a typical high-grade peat has 90 percent water, 3 percent fixed carbon, 5 percent volatile matter, 1.5 percent ash, and O.IO percent sulfur. The moisture-free heating value is approximately 20.9 MJ/kg (9000 Btu/lb). 

The importance of these concepts can be illustrated by the extent to which the pyrolysis reactions contribute to gas produdion. In a moving-bed gasifier (e.g., producer-gas gasifier), the particle is heated through several distinct thermal zones. At the initial heat-up zone, coal carbonization or devolatilization dominates. In the successively hotter zones, char devolatihzation, char gasification, and fixed carbon... 

The physical state of the fuel for a combustion process dictates the type of system to be used for burning. A fuel may be composed of volatile material, fixed carbon, or both. The volatile material bums as a gas and exhibits a visible flame, whereas the fixed carbon burns without a visible flame in a solid form. If a fuel is in the gaseous state, such as natural gas, it is very reactive and can be fired with a simple burner. 

Proximate analysis - a relatively low-cost analysis in which moisture content, volatile combustible matter, fixed carbon, and ash are determined. The fuel value of the sludge is calculated as the weighted average of the fuel values of its individual components. 

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