Materials problems in fluidized-bed combustion systems: effect of process variables on in-bed corrosion. Interim report

The influence of operating conditions in a coal fired fluidized bed combustor on the rate of fireside corrosion of air cooled heat exchanger tubes, with metal temperatures in the range 540/sup 0/C to 900/sup 0/C, has been investigated. Four 250 hour tests were carried out on a 0.3 m square atmospheric pressure fluidized bed combustor operating with a fluidizing velocity of 0.9 ms/sup -1/, 10 to 20% excess air and bed temperatures of 850/sup 0/C and 900/sup 0/C. The feed coal was Illinois No. 6 which was used both with and without the addition of limestones to suppress the emission of sulfur oxides. A test without the addition of limestone showed very little corrosive attack of any metal components. Tests with the addition of limestone showed a range of corrosive attack. In general, where different alloy types were exposed at the same metal temperature, the iron based austenitic steels showed a better corrosion resistance than the nickel based alloys. This result strongly supports the model for the corrosion which has been developed as a result of the earlier investigations. This model postulates that local regions of low oxygen activity exist in the system, and, in the presence of calcium sulfate,more » these result in the generation of high local sulfur activities. The combination of low oxygen and high sulfur activities leads to sulfidation of sensitive alloys.« less