Time-Resolved Study of Silicate Slag Formation During Combustion of Wheat Straw Pellets

Abstract

Ash formation during single-fuel pellet combustion of wheat straw at 700 and 1000 °C was studied throughout fuel conversion by quench cooling and analysis at different char conversion degrees. The combination of X-ray microtomography analysis and scanning electronic microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that ash accumulated in rigid net structures at 700 °C with streaks or small beads surrounding the char, and the pellet mostly maintained its size during the entire fuel conversion. At 1000 °C, the ash formed high-density melts that developed into bubbles on the surface. As the conversion proceeded, these bubbles grew in size and covered parts of the active char surface area, but without entirely blocking the gas transport. The successive char conversion dissolved increasing amounts of calcium in the potassium silicate melts, probably causing differences in the release of potassium to the gas phase. Similarities were found with slag from a combustion experiment in a domestic boiler, w...