Potassium and chlorine distributions in high temperature halloysite formed deposits

Abstract

The paper presents results of investigations on KCl interaction with halloysite under high temperature conditions. Halloysite is an aluminosilicate that can be used as a fuel additive to prevent chlorine corrosion and formation of low melting corrosive deposits during combustion of biomass. It is claimed that an increase of the emission of gaseous chlorine as HCl(g) and decrease of chlorine share in the ash as result of KCl and halloysite interaction should be expected. During presented tests the mixtures of KCl and halloysite with different ratios were thermally decomposed in a muffle furnace at high temperatures of 900°C and 1100°C. Then, the analyses of potassium and chlorine contents in the formed solid residues were determined. Besides, it has been proved that halloysite addition changes the ash deposit structure as well as increases the ash fusion temperatures. This was supported by performing phase equilibrium calculations for the investigated different halloysite/KCl mixtures. The positive effects of halloysite on potassium capture while reducing chlorine content in solid residue to prevent formation of corrosive deposits have been confirmed.