The ash fusion characteristics of bamboo and coal co-firing process

Abstract

The ash fusion characteristics of bamboo and coal co-firing process were determined by a thermogravimetric analyzer, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the ash of bamboo and coal co-firing process had similar chemical compositions with coal ash. Ash components occurred to synergistic interaction during co-firing process of bamboo and coal. Bamboo increased ash fusion temperatures of blends. The ash fusion process included moisture evaporation, oxidation of organic matters, removal and reaction of inorganic matters. The transformation of chemical compositions resulted in mass loss of ash. Fusion mechanism included G–B model, Mampel power model, second-order reaction and the Avrami–Erofeev model. The optimum blend ratio of bamboo and coal was suggested as 30%:70%. The results will be helpful to provide a scientific guidance to use bamboo residues for energy products.