What is meant by Fuel Characterization?

Fuel characterization concerns with the “analysis” and “energy content of fuel” (also known as calorific value). Fuel analysis comprises of “proximate” and “ultimate”.

Proximate analysis:

In the proximate analysis, moisture (M), Ash (A) and volatile matter (VM) are determined. Fixed carbon (FC) is obtained from the following equation:

(1)

There are standard tests to determine proximate analysis. Moisture is determined by drying 1gm of sample at for 1hr. Weight loss is expressed in %of initial weight of sample ; i.e.

(2)

Ash is weight of residue obtained after complete combustion of 1 g of coal at . Ash in % is

(3)

Volatile matter is the weight loss obtained on heating 1 gm sample of coal at for 7 minutes in the absence of air.

(4)

If coal sample is dry then weight loss is due to VM only.

(5)

Fixed carbon can be calculated by eq. 1.