Effect of coal slag on the wear rate and microstructure of the ZrO2-bearing chromia refractories

The typical properties of slag and refractories for slagging coal gasifier were investigated. In the range of 0–25% CaO/ash, the characteristic ash-fusion temperatures (AFTs) and viscosity of a coal-ash slag decreased with an increase of CaO additive. When the CaO/ash ratio was greater than 25% in the mixture of the coal and limestone, AFTs no longer reduced. The slag viscosity for limestone addition with CaO/ash = 25% was very low and in a narrow range (4–13 Pa.s) at coal gasification temperatures between 1300 °C and 1500 °C. However, corrosion resistance of the ZrO₂-bearing chromia refractories reduced with increasing CaO content in coal slag, especially for a slag with more than 30% CaO content. Increased chromia in three kinds of the ZrO₂-bearing chromia refractories resulted in increased corrosion resistance. The higher the Cr₂O₃ content and the lower the SiO₂ content, the less the deterioration of microstructures in the materials. Thermochemical spalling of the ZrO₂-bearing 80% Cr₂O₃ refractory after 807 operating hours of a coal gasifier was considered as the primary attack mechanism.