A novel method for determining the internal recycled dust load in kraft recovery boilers

Abstract

In kraft recovery boiler operation, fly ash or dust generated from black liquor combustion is mixed with the virgin black liquor in a mix tank and returned to the boiler with the as-fired black liquor. This internal recycled dust stream varies widely from boiler to boiler and from time to time and can have a great impact on the as-fired black liquor flow and properties and, ultimately, on the boiler thermal performance. A new method has been developed to quickly and accurately determine the amount of internal recycled dust in recovery boilers. The method is based on the difference between the total organic carbon content of the virgin black liquor and that of the as-fired black liquor. Tests using the method were performed on recovery boilers at three of Fibria’s mills in Brazil. The results show that while the specific virgin black liquor solids produced at these mills were about the same, the internal recycled dust load varied widely, from as low as 4 wt% of as-fired black liquor solids fired in the boiler at one mill to as high as 15 wt% at another mill. Instead of total organic carbon values, heating values may also be used, but the result is not as accurate.