Prediction of Thermodynamic Simulation of Ash Behavior in Biomass Co-Firing: Eichhornia crassipes, Calliandra calothyrsus, and Gliricidia sepium in Pulverized Coal Boilers Using FactSage
Keywords:
ash, biomass, Biomass Co-Firing, Factsage, fouling, slagging, Thermodynamic ModelingAbstract
This study investigates the ash behavior of three alternative biomass source Eichhornia crassipes, Calliandra calothyrsus, and Gliricidia sepium for co-firing with low-rank (LRC) and medium-rank coal (MRC) using thermodynamic simulations FactSage. Ash fusion temperature (AFT) analysis and ash melt-fraction curves were employed to evaluate slagging and fouling tendencies under oxidizing conditions. Results indicate that Gliricidia sepium significantly enhances AFT and provides a stable melting interval in both LRC and MRC blends, particularly due to its high CaO content. Eichhornia crassipes showed favorable AFT performance despite its high ash content, while Calliandra calothyrsus posed higher slagging risks due to elevated K₂O concentrations and lower fusion temperatures. The integration of AFT values with melt-fraction trends revealed that MRC blends generally exhibited wider melting intervals and smoother transitions, which support better ash flow control. These findings highlight the importance of chemical composition balance and ash thermal behavior in selecting suitable biomass for stable and efficient co-firing operations.
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