ABSTRACT

Slagging potential is defined as a condition which is a growth tendency of

coal ash crust formed in radiation zone. Coal slagging will be formed when the
ignition temperature is higher than the ash fusion temperature (AFT). Coal
slagging can cause various disadvantages such as slag. Slag will form crust which
is unable to be removed by shootblowing and increase corrosion tendency
consequently it reduces the heat transfer in combustion area. In aim to this study,
the increase of the AFT, the AFT determination of the coal blends where the antislagging compounds are identified and then slagging potential is in pulverized
coal combustion can be reduced. This research uses three different coals such as
bukit asam coal, berau coal, adaro coal and use three different anti-slagging
compounds such as rice husk, zeolite and catalyst coal combustion. The method of
the research uses V-blend method for blending the three coals with three
variations. The coal blend variation consists of mixing 1 (10% bukit asam; 20%
berau; 70% adaro), mixing 2 (10% bukit asam; 30% berau; 60% adaro) and
mixing 3 (10% bukit asam; 40% berau; 50% adaro). Sample composition does
have the lower AFT will be used for the next variation using anti-slagging
compounds. The variation of adding anti-slagging compounds are 2%, 4% and
6%. In this research, mixing 1 has the lower AFT than other samples, 1310 C
(oxidation). Adding catalyst coal combustion to the mixing 1 produces the most
significant of increasing the AFT with concentration of adding is 6%. Catalyst
coal combustion increase AFT from the initial temperature 1310 C to 1370 C or
about 5.34%. Catalyst coal combustion contains higher MnO2 which is 67.41%. In
addition to Al2O3 and SiO2, there is another component, MnO2, which enables to
increase AFT and prevent the slagging potentials in combustion area.

Keywords :

2.

Experimental

2.1

Coal Blend

2.2

Anti-slagging Test

In order to investigated the

As indicated, the opportunity

lowest AFT in three variation of the

to increase the AFT by adding the

coal blend, V-blend method is a

anti-slagging compounds to the coal

simple procedure to blend all of the

blend which has the lowest AFT. The

coal. The three different coal (bukit

anti-slagging compounds are rice

asam coal, berau coal and adaro coal)

husk,

is obtained from PT. Indonesia

combustion Bulab 9672. Blends with

Power. The size of coal is reduced by

the pulverizer coal and anti-slagging

ball mill and then in sifter to

compounds

-200+230 mesh. Variation of the coal

concentration of each anti-slagging is

blend was prepared consisting of :

2% ; 4% ; 6% to the coal blend. Total

zeolite

and

were

catalyst

prepared.

coal

The

Mixing 1 = 10% bukit asam

mass of each sample that is 12 grams

coal ; 20% berau coal ; 70%

as much as 9 samples. Samples were

adaro coal
Mixing 2 = 10% bukit asam

analyzed according to Ash Fusion

coal ; 30% berau coal ; 60%

results statistically evaluated.

adaro coal
Mixing 3 = 10% bukit asam
coal ; 40% berau coal ; 50%
adaro coal

In every sample has a same total

mass that is 12 grams for 6 minutes
of mixing and analyzed according to
Ash Fusion Temperature ASTM D1857.

Therefore

we

determined

sample which has the lowest AFT for

the next variation of the effect
increase
slagging.

AFT

by

adding

anti-

Temperature ASTM D-1857 and

The three of coal will be

blended appropriate to Tabel 4. Coal
blending is a technique for prevent
deposit formed such as slagging and
fouling in boiler[22]. PT Indonesia
Power used this method for prevent
the formed of slagging. In the other
way, coal blending had another
function like to pulverize the coal
easily from a big stone to be powder.
In this research, V-blend method is
used for blend the three of coal. Vblend method is a simple method
3.

Result and discussion

3.1

Characteristic of Coal
There are three types of coal

which has many advantages, and one

of it is V-blend method good for
solid-solid mixing[23].

used for this research. They are

consist of adaro coal, bukit asam coal

3.2

to Ash Fusion Temperature

and berau coal. These coals are from

Fig.1 and Fig.2 present three

PT. Indonesia Power. According to

Tabel 3, bukit asam coal had the
highest AFT and adaro coal had the
lowest AFT (reduction condition). It
can be inferred from ash components
of coal. The contents of SiO2, Al2O3
and TiO2 are highest in bukit asam
coal while Fe2O3, CaO and MgO are
lowest in bukit asam coal. Base
(Fe2O3, CaO and MgO) Acid (SiO2,
Al2O3 and TiO2) ratio in coal is affect
for slag to be formed[18].

The Effect of Coal Blending

sampless AFT from two type of

combustion, they are oxidation and
reduction combustion. Oxidation
Reduction

condition

is

an

observation which used in AFT test

in order to make the condition is
equal

to

thegasifier

or

furnace

condition. In reduction, there are

adding gas like CO2 and H2/N2 with
the

ratio

50:50.

Whereas

in

oxidation, it just use free air and

adding

CO2. This condition is

AFT oxidation and reduction from

related to the necessary of each

Fig.1 and Fig.2 from mixing 1 are

company.

actual

1310C and 1220 C , mixing 2 are

condition, AFT in oxidation is higher

1310 C and 1230 C , mixing 3 are

than AFT in reduction[23]. It because,

1330 C and 1270 C . It can

in

conclude

However

oxidation

in

combustion

using

that

AFT

from

three

oxygen which is increase the ignition

samples near the real AFTs coal for

faster.

industry, its about 1270 C - 1470

C[18]. Mixing 1 has the lowest AFT
1350

so that mixing 1 will be used for

1300

anti-slagging variation. According to

1250
Flow Temperatur (C) 1200
IDT
ST
HT
1150

Van
FT

Diyk,

J.C[18]

research,

ash

composition for Fe and Ca have

important role in determine AFT
characteristics. When Fe and Ca are

sampel

too high, it causes low AFT. It shown

in Tabel 3, that adaro has the highest

Fig.1 Ash Fusion Temperature (AFT) from

Fe and Ca than bukit asam and

mixing 1, 2 and 3 for oxidation combustion

berau. Consequently, sample with the

biggest contain of adaro will have

1300

the lowest AFT, it is in mixing 1.

1250
1200
Flow Temperature (C)
1150
1100
mix 1
sampel

IDT
ST

3.3

The Effect of anti-slagging

HT

(rice husks, zeolite and bulab)

FT

to Ash Fusion Temperature.

Anti-Slagging subtances used
rice husks, zeolite and catalyst coal

Fig.2 Ash Fusion Temperature (AFT) from

mixing 1, 2 and 3 for reduction combustion

combustion. Three of them will add

to sample mixing 1 with each
concentration are 2%, 4%, and 6%.

ST (Softening Temperature) is

1300

perubahan fasa dan temperatur yang

dialami ketika terjadi pelelehan abu.
ST related to ash deposit, if ash

1250
Softening Deformation (C)
1200
sekam padi
zeolit

particle stick to heating surface

bulab

1150
0

below ST temperature then ash will

down to the combustion system as

deposit is bigger than ST, then ash to

Fig.4. The effect of anti-slagging to ST in

oxidation
1220

be sticky and have a strong bound to

1200

the surface[23]. Potential slagging

formation can be determined on ST
phase. Pada Gambar 18 dapat dilihat

1180
Softe n ing De form ation (C )

sekam padi

bahwa ST kondisi oksidasi, ketiga

jenis zat anti-slagging mengalami
kenaikan

dengan

semakin besar juga. Fig.4 present in

reduction,

rice

husks

1160
zeolit
1140

bulab

1120
0

10

% pe n am bahan z at anti-slaggin g (%)

penambahan

persentase zat anti-slagging yang

% pe n am bahan z at anti-slaggin g (%)

not to be banded structure, but it will

dust. However, if temperature of ash

Fig.5. The effect of anti-slagging to ST in

reduction

4% have

decrease and increase again in 6%.

Fig.4 present that catalyst coal

Dissimiliar with zeolite or catalyst

combustion has the higher ST,

coal combustion which have an

whereas in Fig.5 present zeolite has

increase of AFT without a decrease.

the higher ST. In this research, AFT

It because, rice husks contains SiO2

in oxidation combustion will be

too high and contains Al2O3 too low.

focused. In fact oxidation is better

Nonequilibrium ratio SiO2/ Al2O3

than reduction. In reduction, iron

will cause ineffective of increasing

oxidized to iron oxide (FeO) and it

AFT[18].

cause low AFT. While in oxidation,

iron oxidized to iron oxide (Fe 2O3)
and when it mixed with silica then it

will

result

higher

melting

contrast. According to Van Diyk

temperature[24].

research[18], from the addition SiO2,

Table.5 present an increase of

Al2O3, and TiO2 have a result that

AFT when adding rice husks and

Al2O3 has the biggest effect to

zeolite to sample. The addition of

increase AFT.
Tabel 1. Anti-slagging content analysis

zeolite into mixed coal have AFT

oxidation in the amount of 1350C,
whereas the addition of rice husks
have oxidation AFT in the amount of
1340 C. Based on the result of antislagging content in Tabel.1, rice
husks and zeolite have SiO2 and
Al2O3 high enough. Rice husks have
SiO2 and Al2O3 in the amount of
94.34% and 0.75%, while zeolite
have SiO2 and Al2O3 in the amount of
71.28% and 13.28%. Zeolite has
bigger AFT oxidation than rice
husks.
According to Marika Nel et al
[26]

, ion potential concept have a big

N
o

Paramete
r

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

Fe2O3
Al2O3
CaO
MgO
MnO2
Cr2O3
Na2O
K2O
SiO2
TiO2
Co
NiO
BaO
PbS
P2O5
SnO2
SO3
LOI
Total

Sampel %
Sekam
Zeoli
Padi
t
1.10
1.31
0.75
13.28
0.69
2.07
0.35
0.97
0.19
0.07
0.84
1.67
1.51
94.34
71.28
0.02
0.22
0.09
0.67
8.19
99.94
99.67

Bulab
9.86
0.65
6.42
4.54
67.41
0.05
1.93
5.66
0.02
0.01
0.74
0.15
2.18
99.62

role for increasing AFT in coal. The

highest ion potential be found in acid

The Al2O3 can increase AFT

component and tend to attract anion,

with less addition, in comparison to

like O-2. Acid Komponen (SiO2,

that of SiO2 and TiO2. The Al2O3

Al2O3 and TiO2) can increase melting

keeps the oxygen molecules stronger

point and give contribution for

bound to the molecule than to the

increasing

melt

other components, and when the

formed. Otherwise, base component

elements becomes free, with free

have low ionic potential (Fe2O3,

electrons, a different mineral phase

CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O) will act

can form with a different flow

viscocity

when

property. The addition of Al2O3

combustion is MnO2 with the amount

additive to coal will give mecahnism

of mass percentage 67.41%. The

change from physic to chemical.

MnO2 is one of catalyst coal

When adding Al2O3, then Al2O3 will

combustion

react with SiO2 to formed mullite

AFT[19]. Catalyst coal combustion

(3Al2O3.2SiO2).

of

have an important role as a catalyst

mullite is in 850C-1000 C and have

in chemical reaction, it function for

melting point 2083 K[27].

reduce

Therefore,

The

coal

formed

with

which

can

activation

increase

energy

in

the

combustion reaction and do not

addition of zeolite have AFT bigger

consumed when the combustion

than coal with the addition of rice

occur. The low activation energy will

husks. The Al2O3 in zeolite is higher

cause the lowest ignition. When the

than Al2O3 in rice husks. The ratio of

ignition get lower and AFT get

SiO2/Al2O3 to zeolite is more balance

higher, it will prevent the potential of

than rice huks. The good ratio of

slagging in combustion system. At

SiO2/Al2O3 is about

1 : 0.5. It

the tome of combustion proses, there

condition happens if the ratio of

is thermal decomposition catalyst

CaO and MgO is about 0.1 : 1. If the

MnO2. The MnO2 releases O2 and

ratio of Al2O3 is bigger than SiO2 so

free O2 aid to combustion process.

the good value of AFT can be

Therefore, the free air who has

reached.

function for support the combustion

The addition of catalyst coal

combustion is causing the amount of
AFT oxidation 1370C. At that

can be reduced by O2 from thermal

decomposition catalyst[28].
In

boiler,

Mn

contain

in

condition, bulab is anti-slagging that

catalyst coal combustion better than

has the biggest effect to increase

Fe. It because in coal which contain

AFT in comparition of zeolite and

high Sulfur (S), Fe can formed SO2

rice huks. The concentration of 6%,

to be SO3. Whereas, Mn do not

bulab can increase the amount of

formed

AFT 60C. Tabel.1 present the most

condensation of SO3 in colder metal

dominant component in catalyst coal

surface will caused corrosion[19]. In

SO2

to

be

SO3.

The

the

other

hand,

catalyst

Fig 5. The comparison between ST profile

coal

combustion has another function

and FT profile in addition of anti-slagging to

AFT in oxidation

beside increase AFT and prevent

slagging. Catalyst coal combustion
can reach stoikiometri ratio between
air and fuel in combustion system.
Eventually, the result of excess air
become lower, saving fuel, and
efficiency

of

combustion.

The

addition of catalyst coal combustion

can reduce the carbon in flue gas,
reduce NOx and manipulate base
component

for

increasing

AFT.

However, the addition of excessive

catalyst coal combustion cover the
pores surface of coal and infere
complete combustion[28].
The formed of slagging in
combustion and the ignition are the
important variable25]. Deposit formed
become slag and it present in Fig.5.
It is when AFT in flow temperature,
whole of ash melt become slag.
1400
sekam padi1300
ST
Temperatur (C)
1200
bulab ST

FT condition and ST condition have

a similar with Fig 4. However, FT
condition is where ash reach the top
ignition or the highest ignition like
Fig 4.
4.

Conclutions
With the specific aim to this

study, to increase AFT of the coals

blend such as rice husks, zeolite and
catalyst combustion were added, was
conducted. Catalyst coal combustion
has the biggest effect of increase the
AFT.

Catalyst

coal

combustion

increase the AFT is about 70C or

about 5.34% in addition of 6%. The
MnO2 is the highest contain in
catalyst coal combustion, where it
works as catalyst in general. So, the
MnO2 proven can increase AFT

zeolit ST

beside SiO2 and Al2O3. The MnO2

works to reduce activation energy

sekam padi FT

1100
zeolit FT

Fig 5. present AFT analysis in

1 2 bulab
3 4 FT5 6
Variabel Percobaan (% )

and caused the lower ignition, so that

combustion occur in lower ignition.