A device has been developed for modelling the behaviour of coal under
conditions which may lead to spontaneous combustion. It is designed to
model the behaviour of a stockpile of large mass. The apparatus can test
coal samples taken from the flow stream from mine through washing,
stockpiling and transportation to the point of utilisation. It tests samples
in an as received' condition and so takes into account the effect of
aspects such as particle size and moisture content on propensity for
spontaneous combustion to occur. Results of the preliminary tests
undertaken are given and future applications of the apparatus are
Discussed.