Identification of Primary CO in Coal Seam Based on Oxygen Isotope Method

Analysis on the source of CO is very important for prevention of coal spontaneous combustion. In this article, a method of identifying primary CO in coal seams based on an oxygen isotope method is proposed through research. Tests on the oxygen isotopes (δ18O) of CO were generated in coal oxidization reaction and coal pyrolysis reaction. It is found that δ18O of CO will reduce with rising temperature in both reactions, with δ18O of CO being 15–20‰ in air atmosphere and that being 25–28‰ in argon atmosphere in the temperature range of 130–220°C, confirming that the sources of oxygen atoms of CO vary with different atmospheric conditions. Through collecting and testing a number of gas samples from the coal seam and roof in the coal mine, their δ18O of CO is found to be 35.2–37.3‰. The result would improve the prevention of coal spontaneous combustion.