A low temperature reaction calorimeter of the Calvert type for the measurement of the heat of oxidation of coal

Abstract

A new calorimeter system is described, in which the rate of reaction is determined simultaneously with the heat of reaction. The system operates near ambient temperature and is particularly suitable for measurement of air/coal interactions which are responsible for self-heating and spontaneous combustion. These interactions are characterised by an extremely slow evolution of heat of the order of about 5*10^-6 W per g of coal which changes with time requiring the instrument to remain stable over a period of several weeks. The instrument may also be suitable for investigations of self-heating of other materials which are commonly stockpiled.