The influence of fuel composition on sulfation and deposition rates of alkali salts

Paper in proceeding, 2018

The present work is based on recent pilot-scale experiments that examines the behavior of alkali, chlorine and sulfur containing aerosols during both air- and oxy-combustion conditions. The experiments have been performed at University of Utah where solid fuel experiments were performed in a 100kW combustion unit. The experiments focus on the formation of depositing ash particulates. The results from these experiments are then compared to chemical reaction kinetics simulations that allows for a more detailed investigation of the gas phase chemistry and its influence on the ash composition. The work aims to improve the understanding of how the ash composition and its deposit rate depends on the fuel composition and combustion conditions. The results show that the temperature is an important parameter for the aerosol formation influencing both composition and particle size distribution. The simulations also indicate that the amount of sulfur and chlorine in relation to potassium is important for the sulfation of potassium.