Abstract
Theoretical predictions for thermodynamically stable phases which formed when alkali(sodium and potassium) vapors reacted with alumina-chromia refractories under coal gasifying atmosphere were confirmed experimentally using a laboratory-scale coal gasifying reaction system and a commercial alumina-chromia refractory using SEM, XRD, and EDAX. Alkali concentration profiles in the refractory as a function of time were also determined. The results showed that the compounds that formed were $X_2O{\cdot}Al_2O_3, X_2O{\cdot}Cr_2O_3, X_2O{\cdot}5Al_2O_3, X_2O{\cdot}7Al_2O_3, X_2O{\cdot}11Al_2O_3(X=Na^+ \;or\; K^+)$, depending upon the alkali concentration and time of exposure at high temperatures. The presence of sulfur in gasifying atmospheres did not appear to affect the alkali reaction produces. Alkali pentration into the alumina-chromia refractory was deep and the formation of the $Na_2O{\cdot}Al_2O_3/K_2O{\cdot}Al_2O_3$ compunds resulted in the serious deformation of the refractory due to the large volume expansion at the reaction surface. The hot face of the alumina-chromia refractory in service under an alkali environment is prone to failure by alkali attack.