Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of oil shale semi-coke on deposit mineralogy and morphology in the flue path of a CFB burning Zhundong lignite

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers in Energy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effect of oil shale semi-coke (SC) on the mineralogy and morphology of the ash deposited on probes situated in the flue path of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) which burns Zhundong lignite (ZD) was investigated. 10 wt% or 20 wt% SC was added to ZD, which were then combusted in the CFB furnace at 950°C. Two probes with vertical and horizontal orientations were installed in the flue duct to simulate ash deposition. Both windward and leeward ash deposits on probes (P1W, P1L, P2W and P2L) were analyzed by using a scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry ICP-OES, and a particle size analyzer. When ZD was burned alone, the P1W deposit was comprised of agglomerates (< 30 µm) enriched in CaSO4 and Na2SiO3, incurring significant sintering. The P1L and P2W deposits, however, were of both discrete and agglomerated particles in similar mineral phases but with coarser sizes. The P2L deposit was mainly fine ash particles where Na2SiO3 and Na2SO4 were absent. As SC was added, the agglomerates in both P1W and P1L decreased. Moreover, SiO2 and Ca/Na aluminosilicates dominated the mineral phases whereas Na2SiO3 and Na2SO4 disappeared, showing a decrease in deposit stickiness. Likewise, the P2W deposit was found less spread on the probe, decreasing its deposition propensity. Na-bearing minerals turned into (Na, K)(Si3Al)O8 and (Ca, Na)(Si, Al)4O8 in the P2W deposit. Moreover, Na in the deposits decreased from 32 mg/g to less than 15 mg/g as SC presented. The addition of SC would therefore help alleviate the propensity of ash deposition in the flue path in the CFB combustion of ZD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang S Y, Chen C, Shi D Z, Lyv J F, Wang J, Guo X, Dong A X, Xiong S W. Situation of combustion utilization of high sodium coal. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2013, 33(5): 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  2. Xu J Y, Yu D X, Fan B, Zeng X P, Lv W Z, Chen J J. Characterization of ash particles from co-combustion with a Zhundong coal for understanding ash deposition behavior. Energy & Fuels, 2014, 28(1): 678–684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Qi X B, Song G L, Yang S B, Yang Z, Lyu Q G. Migration and transformation of sodium and chlorine in high-sodium high-chlorine Xinjiang lignite during circulating fluidized bed combustion. Journal of the Energy Institute, 2019, 92(3): 673–681

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Zbogar A, Frandsen F, Jensen P A, Glarborg P. Shedding of ash deposits. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 2009, 35(1): 31–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Li J B, Zhu M M, Zhang Z Z, Zhang K, Shen G Q, Zhang D K. The mineralogy, morphology and sintering characteristics of ash deposits on a probe at different temperatures during combustion of blends of Zhundong lignite and a bituminous coal in a drop tube furnace. Fuel Processing Technology, 2016, 149: 176–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Li J B, Zhu M M, Zhang Z Z, Zhang K, Shen G Q, Zhang D K. Characterisation of ash deposits on a probe at different temperatures during combustion of a Zhundong lignite in a drop tube furnace. Fuel Processing Technology, 2016, 144: 155–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Kleinhans U, Wieland C, Frandsen F J, Spliethoff H. Ash formation and deposition in coal and biomass fired combustion systems: progress and challenges in the field of ash particle sticking and rebound behavior. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 2018, 68: 65–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Vuthaluru H B, Zhang D K, Linjewile T M. Behaviour of inorganic constituents and ash characteristics during fluidised-bed combustion of several Australian low-rank coals. Fuel Processing Technology, 2000, 67(3): 165–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Vuthaluru H B, Zhang D K. Effect of Ca- and Mg-bearing minerals on particle agglomeration defluidisation during fluidised-bed combustion of a South Australian lignite. Fuel Processing Technology, 2001, 69(1): 13–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Vuthaluru H B, Zhang D K. Effect of coal blending on particle agglomeration and defluidisation during spouted-bed combustion of low-rank coals. Fuel Processing Technology, 2001, 70(1): 41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Vuthaluru H B, Zhang D K. Control methods for remediation of ash-related problems in fluidized-bed combustors. Fuel Processing Technology, 1999, 60(2): 145–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Vuthaluru H B. Remediation of ash problems in pulverised coal-fired boilers. Fuel, 1999, 78(15): 1789–1803

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Song G L, Qi X B, Song W J, Yang S B. Slagging and fouling of Zhundong coal at different air equivalence ratios in circulating fluidized bed. Fuel, 2017, 205: 46–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Qi X B, Song G L, Yang S B, Yang Z, Lyu Q G. Exploration of effective bed material for use as slagging/agglomeration preventatives in circulating fluidized bed gasification of high-sodium lignite. Fuel, 2018, 217: 577–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Niu Y Q, Tan H Z, Hui S E. Ash-related issues during biomass combustion: alkali-induced slagging, silicate melt-induced slagging (ash fusion), agglomeration, corrosion, ash utilization, and related countermeasures. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 2016, 52: 1–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zeng X P, Yu D X, Liu F Q, Fan B, Wen C, Yu X, Xu M H. Scavenging of refractory elements (Ca, Mg, Fe) by kaolin during low rank coal combustion. Fuel, 2018, 223: 198–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Liu Z, Li J B, Zhu M M, Wang Q H, Lu X F, Zhang Y Y, Zhang Z Z, Zhang D K. Morphological and mineralogical characterization of ash deposits during circulating fluidized bed combustion of Zhundong lignite. Energy & Fuels, 2019, 33(3): 2122–2132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Liu Y Q, Cheng L M, Ji J Q, Wang Q H, Fang M X. Ash deposition behavior of a high-alkali coal in circulating fluidized bed combustion at different bed temperatures and the effect of kaolin. RSC Advances, 2018, 8(59): 33817–33827

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Liu Y Q, Cheng L, Ji J Q, Zhang W G. Ash deposition behavior in co-combusting high-alkali coal and bituminous coal in a circulating fluidized bed. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2019, 149: 520–527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Ji J Q, Cheng L M, Liu Y Q, Nie L. Direct measurement of gaseous sodium in flue gas for high-alkali coal. Energy & Fuels, 2019, 33(5): 4169–4176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Yang H R, Jin J, Liu D Y, Wang Y Z, Zhao B. The influence of vermiculite on the ash deposition formation process of Zhundong coal. Fuel, 2018, 230: 89–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Yang Y, Wang Q H, Lu X F, Li J B, Liu Z. Combustion behaviors and pollutant emission characteristics of low calorific oil shale and its semi-coke in a lab-scale fluidized bed combustor. Applied Energy, 2018, 211: 631–638

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Lu Y, Wang Y, Zhao Y Q, Wei Z, Li Y, Hao W X, Zhang Y F. The characteristics of mineralogy, morphology and sintering during co-combustion of Zhundong coal and oil shale. RSC Advances, 2017, 7(81): 51036–51045

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Liu Z, Li J B, Zhu M M, Wang Q H, Lu X F, Zhang Y Y, Zhang Z Z, Zhang D K. Investigation into scavenging of sodium and ash deposition characteristics during co-combustion of Zhundong lignite with an oil shale semi-coke of high aluminosilicate in a circulating fluidized bed. Fuel, 2019, 257: 116099

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Liu Z, Li J B, Wang Q H, Lu X F, Zhang Y Y, Zhu M M, Zhang Z Z, Zhang D K. An experimental investigation into mineral transformation, particle agglomeration and ash deposition during combustion of Zhundong lignite in a laboratory-scale circulating fluidized bed. Fuel, 2019, 243: 458–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Baxter L L. Ash Deposit Formation and Deposit Properties. A Comprehensive Summary of Research Conducted at Sandia’s Combustion Research Facility. Sandia National Labs., Livermore, US, 2000

    Google Scholar 

  27. Li J B, Zhu M M, Zhang Z Z, Zhang K, Shen G Q, Zhang D K. Effect of coal blending and ashing temperature on ash sintering and fusion characteristics during combustion of Zhundong lignite. Fuel, 2017, 195: 131–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Huang Q, Zhang Y Y, Yao Q, Li S Q. Mineral manipulation of Zhundong lignite towards fouling mitigation in a down-fired combustor. Fuel, 2018, 232: 519–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Huang Q, Li S Q, Li G D, Zhao Y Q, Yao Q. Reduction of fine particulate matter by blending lignite with semi-char in a down-fired pulverized coal combustor. Fuel, 2016, 181: 1162–1169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Zhou B, Zhou H, Wang J Y, Cen K F. Effect of temperature on the sintering behavior of Zhundong coal ash in oxy-fuel combustion atmosphere. Fuel, 2015, 150: 526–537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Wei B, Wang X B, Tan H Z, Zhang L M, Wang Y B, Wang Z. Effect of silicon-aluminum additives on ash fusion and ash mineral conversion of Xinjiang high-sodium coal. Fuel, 2016, 181: 1224–1229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Yang Y, Lu X F, Wang Q H, Song D C, Chen Y, Hong Y. Study on the anisotropy of mass transfer for oxygen in the ash layer of extremely low calorific oil shale semi-coke. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2018, 128: 1494–1501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhang Z, Liu J, Yang Y J, Shen F H, Zhang Z C. Theoretical investigation of sodium capture mechanism on kaolinite surfaces. Fuel, 2018, 234: 318–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Mwabe P O, Wendt J O L. Mechanisms governing trace sodium capture by kaolinite in a downflow combustor. Symposium (International) on Combustion, 1996, 26(2): 2447–2453

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51706028), the Foundation of State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering (Grant No. 2017-K01), the Joint Grants Scheme of Shanxi Province and National Science Foundation of China (Key Applied Projects U1610254), and the Australia Research Council under the ARC Linkage Projects Scheme (Project No. LP100200135).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems of the Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Zhuo Liu, Jianbo Li & Xiaofeng Lu

  2. Centre for Energy (M473), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Mingming Zhu, Zhezi Zhang & Dongke Zhang

Authors
  1. Zhuo Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jianbo Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mingming Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaofeng Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhezi Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Dongke Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianbo Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, Z., Li, J., Zhu, M. et al. Effect of oil shale semi-coke on deposit mineralogy and morphology in the flue path of a CFB burning Zhundong lignite. Front. Energy 15, 26–37 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-020-0668-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-020-0668-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation