Investigation of shaped alumina based refractories used in slagging gasifiers

Gasifiers are containment vessels used to react a carbon feedstock with oxygen and water in order to produce synthetic gas. During the gasification process the refractory liner protects the gasifier shell from high temperatures and pressures, corrosive slag, thermal shock and thermal cycling. However the performance of the currently used high chrome oxide materials does not meet the service requirements of industry, so there is a demand of new chrome oxide free materials. Compared to the sintering atmosphere the mechanical properties, phase formation as well as the resistance against thermal shock and alkali-corrosion of shaped alumina based refractories have been evaluated. According to the results potential candidates for further studies including reducing sintered β-alumina, spinel, hibonite and slag-stone.