Comprehensive coal quality index for evaluation of coal agglomeration characteristics

•The coal quality factors affecting coal agglomeration were analyzed comprehensively.•Entropy method was adopted to calculate the weight of factors on coal agglomeration.•An empirical index for predicting the coal agglomeration is proposed.•Vitrinite content is the most important factor affecting coal agglomeration. A comprehensive analysis of coal quality factors affecting coal agglomeration characteristics was carried out. The influence weight of seven main coal quality indices on agglomeration was calculated by the entropy method. Furthermore, a reliable and comprehensive coal quality index was obtained to evaluate the characteristics of coal agglomeration by the agglomeration experiment results. The proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and petrographic analysis results were applied for the analysis of organic constituents. The XRF and ash fusion temperatures were applied for the analysis of inorganic constituents. Results show that there is an absolute positive correlation between the C/H, FC/V and the characteristics of coal agglomeration. Both of the vitrinite content and the average reflectivity of the vitrinite have a positive effect on the coking ability of coal. Alkali oxides not only have a low melting point but also can react with Si and Al to form low melting point eutectics. Both of these characteristics result in coal ash slagging. The entropy method was adopted to analyze the effect weight of C/H, FC/V, vitrinite content Vi, vitrinite average reflectivity Rave, ash deformation temperature (DT), Base/Acid ratio (B/A) and Silicon ratio (G) on the agglomeration characteristics of coal. The weights are 11%, 10%, 26%, 12%, 9%, 14% and 18%, respectively. Among them, vitrinite content had the largest effect, and DT had the least effect. In addition, an empirical index of coal agglomeration characteristics is proposed, and the discriminant limits are provided. The results are helpful to the evaluation of coal agglomeration, and useful to the safe and efficient operation of boilers.