Self-oxidation of coal and other carbonaceous materials susceptible to spontaneous combustion can result in a fire at any time during mining, transporting, or processing, causing safety, environmental, and economic concerns. Like all oxidation reactions, heat begins to accumulate, the temperature continues to rise and, if left unaltered, will cause thermal runaway, resulting in a spontaneous fire. This process most commonly occurs when material is being store in piles or silos. Physical methods of compaction and pile management can reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion, but will not effectively eliminate it. At our research facility in Atlanta, GA, MinTech has spent many years studying this process and how to best retard spontaneous combustion. With special adiabatic systems, thermogravimetric analyses, and differential scanning calorimeters, MinTech can determine the susceptibility of a substrate to spontaneous combustion. We then evaluate various chemical solutions and their ability to slow the oxidative process to provide our customers with optimal, custom solutions for their specific needs. Through the use of anti-oxidants, foam dust suppressants, binders, humectants, and pile sealants, MinTech has the ability to combat spontaneous combustion through each stage of the material handling process.
