Fine particulate formation and ash deposition during pulverized coal combustion of high-sodium lignite in a down-fired furnace

The high-reserve Zhundong lignite, rich in Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal (AAEM) elements, causes severe fouling and slagging problems in stationary combustion systems. In this paper, the ash deposition propensity as well as its relation to AAEM-rich fine particulates was investigated in a 25 kW down-fired furnace possessing similar conditions to practical combustors. The high content AAEM (mainly calcium) species in Zhundong lignite results in the molten slag at the vicinity of the burner inlet, differing from other case burning high-ash-fusion (HAF) bituminous coal. The ash deposits were collected at a position with gas temperature of 800 °C, whereas the fine particulates were sampled at the same position by a two-stage nitrogen-dilution isokinetic probe. The deposition tendency of ash particles from Zhundong lignite is apparently higher than those from contrast fuels and even herbaceous biomass. It is then related to the sticky surfaces of both bare deposition tube and bulk fly ash particles, forming from large amounts of AAEM species, which enhances the deposition propensity.