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proximate analysis

coal processing

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A proximate analysis is a series of tests used to determine the moisture, volatile matter, ash, fixed carbon, and calorific value of coal. These properties are related to the degree of coalification, the process by which plant materials transform into coal. The amount of volatile matter increases as coal rank decreases, meaning lower-rank coals ignite more easily and are more reactive. Ash content, derived from minerals within the coal, affects how coal ash behaves at high temperatures, potentially forming slag. These analyses help assess a coal's suitability for various uses, such as combustion or liquefaction.123

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