The influence mechanism of thermal invasion on spontaneous combustion of different coals using continuous adiabatic heating and non-isothermal oxidation method

Within deep coal mines, the elevated ground temperature has the potential to induce thermal invasion, thereby exacerbating coal spontaneous combustion (CSC). To investigate the influence mechanism of thermal invasion on CSC, experiments were conducted using coals of different metamorphic degrees (lignite, bitumite, and anthracite) with a continuous adiabatic heating and non-isothermal oxidation method in an oxidation furnace and an in-situ ESR spectrometer. Thermal invasion markedly enhanced the inherent susceptibility of spontaneous combustion of coals by increasing the oxygen consumption rate and lowering the apparent activation energy. This enhancement results from active free radicals generated during thermal invasion which accelerated coal-oxygen reactions during non-isothermal oxidation. These free radicals were found to be mainly carbon-centred radicals adjacent to an oxygen atom (alkyl radicals). An increase in both the g-factor value and free radical concentration was observed with thermal invasion temperature and invasion duration, especially in lignite, leading to a surge of free radical concentration during non-isothermal oxidation. The active free radicals generated during thermal invasion can easily react with oxygen, providing heat for coal-oxygen reactions and enabling rapid free radical generation. These findings offer insights for developing CSC evaluation and prevention strategies in deep mines where high ground temperatures are encountered.