Preventing chlorine deposition on heat transfer surfaces with aluminium–silicon rich biomass residue and additive

Abstract

Biomass fuels often contain higher concentrations of easily vaporisable alkalis and chlorine than do coal and peat. The more vaporisable the alkalis or chlorine compounds the higher is the risk for ash-related problems. The presence of certain elements may reduce or remove these problems. This work shows how co-combusting of different biomass fuels in a fluidised bed boiler can result in useful interactions that decrease or totally inhibit Cl deposition and bed agglomeration. In a first set of experiments, fuel 1 contained easily vaporised chlorine that produces Cl-rich deposits on superheaters. Fuel 2 was enriched in aluminium silicate, but contained much ash, resulting in low heating value and high load of fly ash. In a second set of experiments, fuel 1 was enriched in Cl and alkalis, which lead to corrosive deposits, bed agglomeration and fouling. As a result of protecting reactions, the mixtures were free from the problems observed during their separate combustion.