Flame Imprinted Characteristics of Ash Relevant to Boiler Slagging, Corrosion, and Erosion

Abstract

Pulverized fuel flames imprint marked characteristics on different particulate species which influence their subsequent behavior in boiler plant. The paper discusses some of the high temperature changes, namely, the transformation of irregularly shaped mineral granulates to spherical shapes found in ash, coal/ash interface behavior and the surface properties of semi-molten ash particles, combustion of the ash-rich coal particles, and the release of potassium from aluminosilicates. This is followed by a brief assessment of relevance of the findings to boiler slagging, corrosion and erosion.