Thermal analysis studies on combustion mechanism of oil shale

Combustion and pyrolysis experiments of Huadian oil shale have been conducted using a STA409 thermogravimetric analyzer. The effect of various factors on combustion of oil shale is studied. Particle size has little effect on combustion process of oil shale; starting temperature of combustion mass loss and ignition temperature of oil shale decrease with increasing O2 concentration of ambient gas; increase of heating rate can result in ignition temperature, burn-out temperature and maximum rate of combustion mass loss increasing. Homogeneous ignition mechanism of oil shale is ascertained using a hot state microscope.