[TheForge] Re: Spontaneous Combustion

[Michael]

So, thanks to Mikes post we see the mechanism:
"The coal's temperature begins to climb above ambient.  At about 150-300
degrees F, it begins to give off minute, but measurable, quantities of
gas--aerosols, hydrogen, and CO(2)--precursors of combustion.  As the
temperature increases further--at about 600-700 degrees F--relatively,
large, visible particulates are emitted.  Soon, as the heating rate
increases in intensity to about 750-800 degrees F, incipient combustion,
and ultimately self-ignition and flame, will occur."

For any who have a problem with the ignition itself, take a second look at
the two gases: Carbon monoxide; and hydrogen. These are the common breakdown
gases which feed the secondary flame in hydrocarbon fuels, so I expected to
find them listed as the actual ignition products. Hydrogen dissipates too
rapidly for it to light the coal, that would be done by the carbon monoxide,
but the heated hydrogen would provide the "spontaneous combustion" trigger,
which would ignite the carbon monoxide, which would then ignite the heated
coal.
Mikey

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Spencer
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 5:17 PM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TheForge] Re: Spontanious Combustion


    http://www.eh.doe.gov/docs/bull/bull0094.html

    http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwetcharcoal.html


or, more generally,

http://www.google.com/search?num=30&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&as_qdr=all&sa=X&oi=spell&
resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=+%22spontaneous+combustion+in+coal%22&spell=1

And I didn't know any of this.  Thanks for asking the question.

- Mike

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~. 
                                                           /V\ 
mspencer at tallships.ca                                     /( )\
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^
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