Radon exhalation characteristics after pyrolysis of long flame coal

Xin Hu; Qiang Sun; Qingmin Shi; Nianqin Wang; Jishi Geng; Shengze Xue

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167228

Radon exhalation characteristics after pyrolysis of long flame coal

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 15:904:167228. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167228. Epub 2023 Sep 19.

Authors

Xin Hu¹, Qiang Sun², Qingmin Shi³, Nianqin Wang⁴, Jishi Geng⁵, Shengze Xue⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Geology and Environment, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China. Electronic address: Huxin@cumt.edu.cn.
² College of Geology and Environment, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China; Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Geological Support for Coal Green Exploitation, 710054, China; Key Laboratory of Coal Resources Exploration and Comprehensive Utilization, Ministry of Land and Resources, China. Electronic address: sunqiang04@cumt.edu.cn.
³ College of Geology and Environment, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China. Electronic address: qmshi@xust.edu.cn.
⁴ College of Geology and Environment, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China. Electronic address: 770739262@qq.com.
⁵ College of Geology and Environment, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China. Electronic address: gengjishi@cumt.edu.cn.
⁶ College of Geology and Environment, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, China. Electronic address: explorerHsueh@163.com.

PMID: 37734598
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167228

Abstract

Coal pyrolysis is a important method for classifying and utilizing coal resources and contributes to enhanced comprehensive resource utilization. However, In high-temperature areas such as coal pyrolysis, there is an abnormal phenomenon release of radioactive gas radon, understanding the relationship between temperature and radon exhalation characteristics, as well as the underlying mechanisms, holds great importance for assessing radon pollution in mining areas. After coal undergoes pyrolysis under high temperature conditions, its material composition, pore structure, water content, and other properties have changed. The pyrolysis products in different atmosphere environments have differences, and the characteristics of radon emission are also different. To address this, the present study conducted coal pyrolysis experiments in both aerobic and anaerobic environments, using long flame coal sourced from Yulin, China. The radon release concentration of the pyrolysis products was measured. The research findings indicate that during pyrolysis at elevated temperatures, the ratio of coal mass loss is constantly increasing. High temperatures promote the development of pores and fissures, and significant changes in coal properties at temperature thresholds (300 °C and 500 °C). The specific surface area, pore volume, and fracture ratio all display substantial increases, and the amplitude of change is greater under aerobic conditions. The fractal dimension of total pores and macropores shows continuous growth, while the specific surface area, pore volume, and fracture ratio exhibit a strong negative correlation with the radon emission rate of pyrolysis products. The expansion and penetration of pores and cracks, along with the release of a substantial amount of pyrolysis gas, accelerate the transformation, migration, and exhalation of radon, resulting in a negative correlation between the heat treatment temperature and the radon release rate of pyrolysis products. Under aerobic conditions, the radon release rate of pyrolysis products decreases more significantly.

Keywords: Coal pyrolysis; Environmental pollution; High temperature; Mining area; Pore structure; Radon exhalation.