Modelling potassium release and the effect of potassium chloride on deposition mechanisms for coal and biomass-fired boilers

Abstract

A model, predicting the release of potassium compounds and its effect on the deposition of superheaters, has been recently developed. The model has been implemented into the three-dimensional CFD program AIOLOS. Concerning the release of potassium compound, the vaporization of the potassium and its reactions in the gas phase are considered. The influence of turbulence on chemistry is considered by using the eddy dissipation concept. Two simulations, one for a coal with high content of chlorine and the other for a coal with low content of chlorine were performed on a small-scale entrained flow reactor. The modelling results are discussed and compared with measurements. Furthermore, the effect of the released potassium chloride on the deposition mechanisms has also been considered. In order to predict the deposition rate, two major deposition mechanisms i.e. condensation and inertial impaction are considered in the model. The sticking probability is modelled based on the melting behaviour of the species involved in the deposition process. Deposit formation in a 0.5 MW semi-industrial pulverized-fuel combustion test facility is predicted considering different operating conditions. Deposition rates on the deposition probe from two kinds of biomass are compared and discussed.