Kinetic and Synergetic Effect Analysis of the Co-Combustion of Coal Blended with Polyurethane Materials

The synergetic effects during the co-combustion of coal blended with polyurethane are researched by thermogravimetric experiments. The mixing ratio of polyurethane to coal affects the oxygen absorption and pyrolysis. According to the synergetic effects, the co-combustion process can be divided into three stages. In the first stage, the synergetic effects are notable and the main reactions are pyrolysis and oxygen absorption. In the second stage, there are almost no synergetic effects and the main reaction is combustion of fixed carbon. In the third stage, there are some synergetic effects because the combustion residues agglomerate. The synergetic effects during co-combustion are influenced by two factors, energy and free radicals. When the mixing ratio is lower than 1:15, the synergetic effects are expressed as inhibitory effects, and the pyrolysis of polyurethane competes with the oxygen absorption of coal. The calorific values of the samples are lower and their ignition temperature and activation energy in the early stage of co-combustion are higher than those of coal. When the mixing ratio is higher than 1:15, the synergetic effects expressed as promoting effects.