Influence of the Composition and Particle Sizes of the Fuel Mixture of Coal and Biomass on the Ignition and Combustion Characteristics
, Andrey Zhuikov 2, Nikolai Zemlyansky 2, Andrey Pleshko 1, Olga Fetisova 3 and Petr Kuznetsov 3Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In the time of energy challenges, investigations in the field of co-combustion of coal and biomass are always interesting. The paper gives the characteristics of thermal decomposition of chernogorskiy coal, cedar needles and their mixture for different fuel particles sizes. Particularly, the temperature at which the coke residue ignition occurs, the temperature at which the combustion process is completed, and the combustion index were determined.
Dear Authors, please find my comments below.
Comment 1: Title: The title of the paper needs to be improved. It should be concise and precise.
Comment 2: Abstract, line 14: „Within the framework of the study“ – which study? There is no study mentioned in the paper?
Comment 3: Abstract, line 14-15: „...using modern methods, analytical and experimental equipment“ – too general and unnecessarily. Please delete.
Comment 4: In the section Results and Discussion, clear description of the experimental results are given, but authors should compare and discuss given results with results of similar investigations other authors. So, please in sections 3.1-3.6 you should discuss the results and how they can be interpreted in perspective of previous studies and of the working hypotheses. As well, the findings and their implications should be discussed in the broadest context possible and limitations of the work highlighted.
Comment 5: The conclusion shows all the numbers from the results section, but does not provide a broader context and meaning of the research, as well as opportunities for further work. Please complete.
Comment 6: Also, the scientific significance of this research should be clearly highlighted in the abstract, as well in the conclusion.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer, please find attached file with detailed responce.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript entitled “Influence of the Composition and Particle Sizes of Solid Fuel Mixtures Based on Coal and Biomass on the Characteristics of Ignition and Combustion Processes” authored by Dmitrii Glushkov, Andrey Zhuikov, Nikolai Zemlyansky, Andrey Pleshko, Olga Fetisova and Petr Kuznetsov addresses the characteristics of thermal decomposition and combustion processes during heating of coal, cedar needles and the mixture of them with various fuel particles sizes. The manuscript shows has been written well and shows good consistency to be considered as publication; however, the following comments must be considered for strengthening the content of the manuscript:
-The introduction is short and I recommend to strengthen the introduction by adding more relevant explanations and references.
-I suggest to add one or two graph for the relationship between ignition delay time versus particle size as well as timescale versus furnace temperature and add relevant explanations to the manuscript.
English check in proofreading
Author Response
Dear Reviewer, please find attached file with detailed responce.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The document “Influence of the Composition and Particle Sizes of Solid Fuel Mixtures Based on Coal and Biomass on the Characteristics of Ignition and Combustion Processes” study the effect of solid fuel into their combustion process. The addition of biomass results in ignition reduction which depends on particle size.
Comments
1. At the beginning of the introduction sections is observed basic information related to thermal energyCO2. Add scientific information related to other works reported in the literature where biomass of another CO2 neutral source was used.
2. In the methodology authors mentioned cedar needles with specific particle size. How was that quantified or measured?
3. Please add references for equation 1-9
4. Improve TGA figure 2 by adding information such as mass loss percentage, add regions and also a good explanation is required for the mass loss at each temperature. Autor only mentioned the mass loss but does not correlate that with the structural transformation, chemical reactions of thermodynamic process.
5. Better explanation of the DTG (figure 3) is required, please consult several references in order to have a good explanation of each exothermic or endothermic peak.
6. Compare the obtained kinetic parameters with those reported in the literature.
7. Figures 6-10 are very interesting, but its discussion is to poor. Please add data image analysis or sadistic analysis regarding the position of each spot.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer, please find attached file with detailed responce.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear authors, my suggestion for the title is given below, but you'll decided. Best regards.
Influence of the Composition and Particle Sizes of the Fuel Mixture of Coal and Biomass on the Ignition and Combustion Characteristics
Author Response
Dear Reviewer, please find attached file with detailed response.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript has improved and I recommend the revised version for publication.
English Check for Proofreading
Author Response
Dear Reviewer, please find attached file with detailed response.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
After carefully reading the update manuscript it can be observed:
The introduction section was improved by adding significant information.
The new version of the manuscript refines the results section and now it can be read very easy. Even conclusion part was nicely modified.
Taking in account the aforementioned comments the submitted file has the standards to be considered for publishing in the journal of applied science.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer, please find attached file with detailed response.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
