Thermodynamics of the Na2SO4-K2SO4-CoSO4 system and their relevance to low-temperature hot corrosion

Thermodynamic calculations and experiments were performed to determine the SO₃ partial pressures and temperatures at which K₂SO₄-CoSO₄ binary mixed liquid phases form on CoO and Co₃O₄ in the presence of K₂SO₄. The calculations and experiments are in excellent agreement. Similar calculations were also made of the compositions at the liquidus surface and the associated SO₃ partial pressures for the K₂SO₄-Na₂SO₄-CoSO₄ ternary system. These calculations show that the presence of K₂SO₄ substantially reduces the SO₃ partial pressures required to stabilize a liquid salt phase on the surface of oxidized cobalt alloys at 600–800°C. Consequently, at these temperatures the hot corrosion in coal-fired systems, where K levels are high, is expected to be worse than in oil-fired systems, where K levels are low. This prediction was confirmed by experiments in a pressurized fluidized bed coal combustor and in an atmospheric pressure burner rig.