What is coal ash
The ash content of coal is the non-combustible material remaining after complete combustion of coal, usually expressed as a percentage. It is one of the important indicators to measure coal quality and directly affects the calorific value, combustion efficiency and environmental pollution level of coal. The level of ash is closely related to the formation process, geological conditions and mining methods of coal. This article will analyze the ash content of coal and its related data in detail.
1. Ash composition of coal

The ash of coal is mainly composed of minerals, including silicates, aluminates, iron oxides, etc. The following are typical proportions of common minerals in ash:
| Minerals | Proportion (%) |
|---|---|
| Silica (SiO₂) | 40-60 |
| Alumina (Al₂O₃) | 20-30 |
| Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) | 5-15 |
| Calcium oxide (CaO) | 1-10 |
| Magnesium oxide (MgO) | 1-5 |
2. The influence of ash content on coal quality
The level of ash content directly affects the calorific value and combustion efficiency of coal. The following is typical data on the relationship between ash content and the calorific value of coal:
| Ash content (%) | Calorific value (MJ/kg) |
|---|---|
| 5-10 | 25-30 |
| 10-20 | 20-25 |
| 20-30 | 15-20 |
| 30-40 | 10-15 |
3. Environmental impact of ash
High-ash coal will produce a large amount of fly ash and slag during the combustion process, causing pollution to the environment. The following is a comparison of pollutant emissions from coal with different ash contents:
| Ash content (%) | Fly ash emission (kg/t) | Slag emissions (kg/t) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 50-80 | 20-40 |
| 20 | 80-120 | 40-60 |
| 30 | 120-160 | 60-80 |
4. How to reduce the ash content of coal
Reducing the ash content of coal can be achieved in the following ways:
1.Coal preparation technology: Remove minerals from coal and reduce ash content through physical or chemical methods.
2.Coal washing process: Use water or heavy media to separate coal and impurities to improve the purity of coal.
3.Combustion optimization: Adopt efficient combustion technology to reduce ash generation.
5. Ash content detection method
The detection of ash content usually uses national standard methods. The following are common detection methods and their scope of application:
| Detection method | Scope of application |
|---|---|
| GB/T 212-2008 | Industrial Analysis Methods for Coal |
| ISO 1171:2010 | Ash content determination of solid mineral fuels |
6. Summary
The ash content of coal is an important indicator of coal quality and directly affects the calorific value, combustion efficiency and environmental pollution level of coal. Ash content can be reduced and coal utilization efficiency improved through coal preparation, coal washing and other technologies. At the same time, the detection method of ash content must also be strictly implemented in accordance with national standards to ensure the accuracy of the data.
Understanding the ash content of coal and its impact will help us make better use of coal resources, reduce environmental pollution, and achieve sustainable development.
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