The implications of chlorine-associated corrosion on the operation of biomass-fired boilers

Abstract The design of new biomass-fired power plants with increased steam temperature raises concerns of high-temperature corrosion. The high potassium and chlorine contents in many biomasses are potentially harmful elements with regard to corrosion. This paper condenses the current knowledge of chlorine-induced, high-temperature corrosion and describes the potential corrosion problems associated with burning biomass fuels either alone or in blends with coal, for electricity production. Chlorine may cause accelerated corrosion resulting in increased oxidation, metal wastage, internal attack, void formations, and loose non-adherent scales. The partial pressure of HCl in a biomass-derived flue gas, is not high enough to cause severe gas-phase corrosion attacks, but may provide scale failure and increased sulfidation of water walls in areas where locally reducing conditions occur due to poor combustion and flame impingement. The most severe corrosion problems in biomass-fired systems are expected to occur due to Cl-rich deposits formed on superheater tubes. The presence of alkali chloride salts in deposits may cause accelerated corrosion well below the melting point of the salt. The corrosion can be severe in air but may be further enhanced by SO 2 which may cause intra-deposit sulfation of the alkali chlorides liberating HCl or Cl 2 gas close to the metal surface. In case the metal surface temperature becomes high enough for molten phases to form in the deposit, the corrosion may be even further enhanced.