Assessment of Chlorine−Alkali−Mineral Interactions during Co-Combustion of Coal and Straw

During co-combustion of coal and straw, ash deposition and pollutants (HCl, aerosols, etc.) formation is significantly influenced by the behavior of chlorine and alkali metals. On the bases of measurement data, the effect of inherent minerals in blended fuels on the release and retention of chlorine and alkali metals is investigated through the equilibrium analysis tool FACT-Win. Si, Al, Ca, Mg, and S may greatly affect the behavior of Cl, K, and Na, where the other minor elements, such as Fe, Ti, and Mn have not much influence. According to measurement data, very low amounts of chlorine and sulfur are retained in bottom, air preheater, and cyclone ash in a pulverized fuel combustor. But in filter ash, the chlorine and sulfur contents are relatively high and the ratio (K + Na)/(Cl + 2S) is close to 1. According to equilibrium calculations, in hard coal co-combustion with less than 50% straw, most of the potassium is combined with aluminosilicates to form KAlSi 2 O 6(s,s2), etc., which can prevent ash depositing on the furnace surface. Besides the formation of NaAlSi 3 O 8(s2), some sodium is released as NaCl (g) and NaOH (g) . In brown coal co-combustion, most of the potassium is released as KCl (g), KOH (g), and K 2 SO 4(g) because aluminum can be combined in the Ca and Mg compounds, such as Ca 3 Al 2 O 6(s), CaAl 2 O 4(s), and MgAl 2 O 4(s) . Increasing the straw fraction reduces KAlSi 2 O 6(s2) and increases K 2 Si 4 O 9(liq) . Most of the sodium is released as NaOH (g), NaCl (g) and Na 2 SO 4(g) . Na 2 SO 4(liq) is formed between 1200 and 1400 K for conditions with less than 50% straw. In pure straw combustion, KCl (g) and K 2 Si 4 O 9(liq) are the main species. During the gas cooling, KCl (g) and KOH (g) may react with SO 2(g) and H 2 O (g) to form K 2 SO 4(g) and then a lot of aerosols are formed. Finally, the possible reactions involving chlorine and alkali metals are analyzed.