Refractory Service Life Vs Ash Chemistry

[JEB66]

I have a few wet bottom boilers (molten slag which runs over refractory lined floor tubes) which are expierencing reduced refractory life.

These units changed fuels which brings a change in ash chemistry, more basic or more acidic. So, I would like to know if there is some information out there which indicates a nned to change the refractory composition because the base to acid ratio changed?

The fuel change also changed the viscosity of the ash so it is more fluid. I expected the change in viscosity to reduce the service life some, but not greater than 1/2.

 

[JEB66]

Just as a follow up.

I found out that a change in ash chemistry will effect the service life of the refractory. If the % basic constitutents increace, then the Si matrix will be attacked and cause the refractory to spall.

Just something for folks to thinik about if you change fuels.