A Research on the liability of coals from Kütahya region to spontaneous combustion

Spontaneous combustion of coals has been pointed out as one of the most criticalproblems encountered in coal mining. This event occurring in underground and open pits aswell as in the coal-hole of the apartments can cause severe fatalities together with loss ofreserves and equipments. Spontaneous combustion phenomenon can be reduced to a minimumdegree by taking necessary precautions in time. In order to carry out this important task, at firstthe susceptibility of coals to spontaneous combustion should be determined and then collieryworking conditions should be arranged according to these findings.In this work, the spontaneous combustion liability of the coals taken from Western,Seyitömer and Değirmisaz Lignite Corporations have been identified. The spontaneouscombustion profiles of the coals from Kütahya Region have been ascertained in general.Through out the present work, the crossing point method has been utilized. A total of 33laboratory tests have been carried out. According to test results, the coal samples taken fromSeyitömer have ?medium to high? risk for spontaneous combustion while the coals fromWestern Lignite Corporation have shown ?high? risk and the coals from DeğirmisazCorporation have ?medium? risk.Key words: Spontaneous combustion, oxidation of coal, crossing point method, liability index