Understanding the deposition mechanism burning Fe - rich Zhundong coal in a 0.4 MW pilot-scale facility

This study presents a comprehensive investigation of slagging characteristics associated with Fe-rich Zhundong coal (ZDC) combustion utilizing a 0.4 MWth pilot-scale facility. Slag specimens collected from three critical locations - bottom-of-furnace (BOF), superheater, and reheater zones - were sys...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yongqiang Tian, Xiang He, Weizhi Lv, Dafu Ma, Xu Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Fuel Processing Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378382025000979
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849419710990385152
author Yongqiang Tian
Xiang He
Weizhi Lv
Dafu Ma
Xu Zhao
author_facet Yongqiang Tian
Xiang He
Weizhi Lv
Dafu Ma
Xu Zhao
author_sort Yongqiang Tian
collection DOAJ
description This study presents a comprehensive investigation of slagging characteristics associated with Fe-rich Zhundong coal (ZDC) combustion utilizing a 0.4 MWth pilot-scale facility. Slag specimens collected from three critical locations - bottom-of-furnace (BOF), superheater, and reheater zones - were systematically characterized through multi-analytical approaches including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), complemented by molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate microscopic deposition mechanisms. Key findings reveal that: Distinct melting phenomena were observed across all sampling locations under flue gas temperatures (FGT) ranging from 1000 to 1350 °C, primarily attributed to both the formation of SiCa low-temperature eutectic phases and fluxing effects of Fe-bearing material. Comparative analysis identified sulfate-induced contamination in reheater deposits at moderate-to-low FGT regimes (1000–1200 °C), demonstrating deposition characteristics analogous to Ca-rich ZDC slag formations. The interaction mechanisms of sulfur in reheater zones promoted FeNa synergistic effects. The slag produced through low-temperature ashing exhibits lower fusion temperatures. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed that elevated combustion temperatures facilitate SiCa eutectic formation while promoting preferential deposition of Na2SO4/ CaSO4 on low-temperature heat exchange surfaces. When using Fe-rich ZDC in the ∏-type boiler, the FGT at the furnace outlet needs to be reduced to at least 1000 °C.
format Article
id doaj-art-0e607f29be4e4cd0b0304d2c9bfa5c7e
institution Kabale University
issn 0378-3820
language English
publishDate 2025-10-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Fuel Processing Technology
spelling doaj-art-0e607f29be4e4cd0b0304d2c9bfa5c7e2025-08-20T03:32:00ZengElsevierFuel Processing Technology0378-38202025-10-0127610827310.1016/j.fuproc.2025.108273Understanding the deposition mechanism burning Fe - rich Zhundong coal in a 0.4 MW pilot-scale facilityYongqiang Tian0Xiang He1Weizhi Lv2Dafu Ma3Xu Zhao4College of Smart Energy, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China; SPIC Xinjiang Wucaiwan Power Generation Co., Ltd, Xinjaing 831700, China; Corresponding author at: College of Smart Energy, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China.Shanghai Power Equipment Research Institute Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200240, ChinaShanghai Power Equipment Research Institute Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200240, ChinaShanghai Power Equipment Research Institute Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200240, ChinaShanghai Power Equipment Research Institute Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200240, ChinaThis study presents a comprehensive investigation of slagging characteristics associated with Fe-rich Zhundong coal (ZDC) combustion utilizing a 0.4 MWth pilot-scale facility. Slag specimens collected from three critical locations - bottom-of-furnace (BOF), superheater, and reheater zones - were systematically characterized through multi-analytical approaches including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), complemented by molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate microscopic deposition mechanisms. Key findings reveal that: Distinct melting phenomena were observed across all sampling locations under flue gas temperatures (FGT) ranging from 1000 to 1350 °C, primarily attributed to both the formation of SiCa low-temperature eutectic phases and fluxing effects of Fe-bearing material. Comparative analysis identified sulfate-induced contamination in reheater deposits at moderate-to-low FGT regimes (1000–1200 °C), demonstrating deposition characteristics analogous to Ca-rich ZDC slag formations. The interaction mechanisms of sulfur in reheater zones promoted FeNa synergistic effects. The slag produced through low-temperature ashing exhibits lower fusion temperatures. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed that elevated combustion temperatures facilitate SiCa eutectic formation while promoting preferential deposition of Na2SO4/ CaSO4 on low-temperature heat exchange surfaces. When using Fe-rich ZDC in the ∏-type boiler, the FGT at the furnace outlet needs to be reduced to at least 1000 °C.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378382025000979∏-type boilerAsh fusibilitySlaggingFoulingAlkali and alkaline earth metal
spellingShingle Yongqiang Tian
Xiang He
Weizhi Lv
Dafu Ma
Xu Zhao
Understanding the deposition mechanism burning Fe - rich Zhundong coal in a 0.4 MW pilot-scale facility
Fuel Processing Technology
∏-type boiler
Ash fusibility
Slagging
Fouling
Alkali and alkaline earth metal
title Understanding the deposition mechanism burning Fe - rich Zhundong coal in a 0.4 MW pilot-scale facility
title_full Understanding the deposition mechanism burning Fe - rich Zhundong coal in a 0.4 MW pilot-scale facility
title_fullStr Understanding the deposition mechanism burning Fe - rich Zhundong coal in a 0.4 MW pilot-scale facility
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the deposition mechanism burning Fe - rich Zhundong coal in a 0.4 MW pilot-scale facility
title_short Understanding the deposition mechanism burning Fe - rich Zhundong coal in a 0.4 MW pilot-scale facility
title_sort understanding the deposition mechanism burning fe rich zhundong coal in a 0 4 mw pilot scale facility
topic ∏-type boiler
Ash fusibility
Slagging
Fouling
Alkali and alkaline earth metal
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378382025000979
work_keys_str_mv AT yongqiangtian understandingthedepositionmechanismburningferichzhundongcoalina04mwpilotscalefacility
AT xianghe understandingthedepositionmechanismburningferichzhundongcoalina04mwpilotscalefacility
AT weizhilv understandingthedepositionmechanismburningferichzhundongcoalina04mwpilotscalefacility
AT dafuma understandingthedepositionmechanismburningferichzhundongcoalina04mwpilotscalefacility
AT xuzhao understandingthedepositionmechanismburningferichzhundongcoalina04mwpilotscalefacility