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Title: Performance of refractories in coal conversion pilot plants

Journal Article · · Mater. Compon. Fossil Energy Appl.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5867246
 [1];
  1. Harbison-Walker Refractories Co., Pittsburgh, PA

Even as pilot plant evaluations continue, some observations are possible from the work done thus far. Generally, performance of lightweight materials has been highly variable, and internal penetration with deterioration of the bond was significant even though some of the exposure periods were not long (2400 hours maximum). The presence of water vapor had a catastrophic effect (occurring as early as 700 to 1000 hours) on carbide and nitride bonds in the temperature range in which several of the gasifiers operated. The variability in weight loss, porosity, and abrasion resistance of the phosphate-bonded dense refractory specimens was less than their calcium aluminate bonded counterparts. It would appear that most dense (60 percent and above) alumina products, whether brick or monolithic materials, will do particularly well in the coal gasification atmosphere. No CO disintegration has been observed in the samples tested thus far. Additional pilot plant and possibly laboratory testing is warranted to determine the effects of thermal gradients through wall sections on susceptibility to CO disintegration on refractories in coal gasification environments.

OSTI ID:
5867246
Journal Information:
Mater. Compon. Fossil Energy Appl.; (United States), Vol. 32
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English