AN APPARATUS AND PROCESS TO ANALYZE AND CHARACTERIZE SPALLING DUE TO THERIRIO-MECHANICAL FAILURE OF COAL DURING UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing and characterizing spalling behavior of coal during underground coal gasification. The apparatus comprises a furnace (1) having a lid (2) with an opening (3). A heat source (4) is located at the bottom surface of the furnace (1). A coal block holder (5) with a coal block (6) is suspended within the furnace (1). The coal block holder (5) has an open bottom (7) facing the heat source (4). The apparatus comprises a device (10), for monitoring weight of the coal block (6), placed outside the furnace (1) and comprising a suspension means (1 1) for suspending the coal block (6) with the coal block holder (5), wherein the suspension means (1 1) passes through the opening (3) of the furnace lid (2). The present invention further relates to a process for analyzing and characterizing spalling behavior of coal during underground coal gasification.