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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Alkali attack on coal gasifier refractory lining

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

For a given coal gasification atmosphere, the reactions between fired alumina-chromia solid solution refractories and alkali (sodium and potassium) with and without sulfur at varying alkali concentrations were thermodynamically calculated using the SOLGASMIX-PV computer program and the results were experimentally confirmed. In addition, the kinetics of alkali diffusion into the refractory were experimentally determined as a function of time and temperature. The results, both experimental and theoretical, show formation of alkali-aluminate (Na₂O⋅Al₂O₃, K₂O⋅Al₂O₃) and β-alumina (Na₂O⋅11Al₂O₃, K₂O⋅11A₂O₃) compounds with formation of several metastable alkali compounds in a coal gasification environment. Sulfur did not appear to affect the reaction products. Alkali distribution into the alumina-chrome refractory is rapid and the formation of the Na₂O⋅Al₂O/K₂O⋅Al₂O₃ compounds cause large volume expansion from the reaction surface which causes poor thermal shock resistance and eventual refractory failure. The hot face of an alumina-chrome refractory in service in an alkali environment will be prone to failure by alkali attack.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Materials Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Materials Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1988

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Lee, Kyoung-Ho

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/80163
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/80163

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Lee, Kyoung-Ho. Alkali attack on coal gasifier refractory lining. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/80163