Corrosion and Deposits From Combustion of Solid Waste—Part III: Effects of Sulfur on Boiler Tube Metals

Sulfur plays a significant part in the corrosion of heat transfer surfaces in municipal incinerators. The nature of the deposits and the extent of corrosion on simulated boiler tube surfaces has been investigated in a combined field and laboratory study. The corrosion resulting from the accumulation of deposits and the action of flue gases on boiler tube metals has been measured by probes exposed in large municipal incinerators. In addition, laboratory experiments were conducted under controlled environments to provide additional data for determination of reaction mechanisms. The amount of sulfur in the solid waste was found to be a controlling factor in the corrosion, and increasing the amount of sulfur resulted in reduced corrosion rates on boiler tube metals. This effect has important implications for the combined firing of refuse and fossil fuels.