Rate of combustion of charcoal

This paper develops methods for measuring the rate of heat release in heterogeneous processes and obtains data on the combustion of charcoal in air over a wide range of temperatures. The rate of heat release during combustion of coal in air at atmospheric pressure was determined from the limiting air temperature at which thermal explosion of carbon particles takes place. A study was made of the ignition of individual carbon particles suspended aerodynamically in hot air. The design of the oven ensured a constant air temperature in the conical portion of the pipe. The authors conclude that the combustion process is mainly determined by chemical reactions of carbon with oxygen, which are the same for different types of carbon, and not by the structure of carbon.