Coal-derived low smoke fuel assessment through coal stove combustion testing

•Pyrolysis of large coal lumps used to produce low smoke fuel (LSF).•Combustion tests of the LSF and ROM coal tested in well instrumented coal stove experiments.•Reductions of 80%, 90% and 35% in PM, VOC's and SO2, emissions found for LSF when compared to raw medium rank C bituminous coal.

A study was undertaken to investigate the production of low smoke fuel from coal currently used in low-income households in South Africa. Pyrolysis of large coal lumps was studied as a possible production method, and an optimum production temperature (550 °C) was found to yield a viable alternative fuel. Combustion tests of the low smoke fuel in well instrumented coal stove experiments showed that the benefits thereof included: reductions of approximately 80%, 90% and 35% less particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and sulfur dioxide emissions, respectively, when compared to raw medium rank C bituminous coal. Further research is required to develop this low smoke fuel with the end goal of large-scale production and performance trials in low-income households, in collaboration with the end users, as well as industry.