A Study of Sulfur Reactions in Furnace Deposits

Abstract

A study was made of absorption of sulfur from synthetic flue gas by coal ash. When fly ash was placed in a temperature gradient like that in a deposit on a boiler tube, maximum absorption was found in the coldest layer. When held at constant temperature, maximum absorption was found at 1100 F. The amount of absorption was highest for fly ash from furnaces in which serious deposit formation was observed. It was also highest for fly ash containing the highest content of sodium and potassium. The sulfur is probably absorbed as mixtures of normal sulfates, pyrosulfates, and such compounds as potassium-ferric trisulfate. A liquid phase of these compounds in contact with tube metal causes corrosion. The maximum sulfur absorption found at 1100 F coincides with a maximum at the same temperature that has been observed for external tube-metal corrosion.