Mechanisms of pyrite oxidation to non-slagging species. Quarterly report, January 1, 1996--March 31, 1996

Abstract

This document is the seventh quarterly status report on a project that is conducted at the High Temperature Gasdynamics Laboratory at Stanford University, Stanford, California and is concerned with enhancing the transformation of iron pyrite to non-slagging species during staged, low-NO{sub X} pulverized coal (P. C.) combustion. The project aims to identify the mechanisms of pyrite combustion and to quantify their effects, in order to formulate a general rate expression for the combustion of pyrite that accounts for coal properties as well as furnace conditions. In general, the project has the following objectives: 1) the characterization of the various mechanisms of intraparticle mass transfer and chemical reaction that control overall pyrite combustion rates and 2) the synthesis of the reaction rate resistances of the various mechanisms into a general rate expression for pyrite combustion. The knowledge gained from this project will be incorporated into numerical codes and utilized to formulate slagging abatement strategies involving the minor adjustment of firing conditions. Ultimately, the benefit of this research program is intended to be an increase in the range of coals compatible with staged, low-NO{sub X} combustor retrofits. 9 refs., 12 figs.