Degradation of the protective layer on stainless steel by chlorine variation under high-temperature conditions

This study investigates the impact of various chlorine (Cl) content ratios on the degradation of 304 stainless steel during co-combustion of coal with solid recovered fuel (SRF) at a combustion temperature of 1250 degrees C. The research specifically focuses on the corrosion potential at 550 degrees C, which represents the temperature in the superheater area of a power plant. High-temperature corrosion experiments are conducted in a laboratory-scale drop tube furnace to observe initial corrosion during combustion. Analyses include visual examination, mineral analysis, microstructure-based metal analysis, and corrosion rate determination. The results show significant degradation at Cl contents higher than 0.09 wt%. The usual carbide formation at the grain boundaries in 304 stainless-steel does not occur in the short-term tests, as indicated by Cr content remaining above 12 % and Cl content less than 0.06 wt%. In addition, material degradation is due to the Cl reacting with alkali content, damaging the oxide layer and causing pits in the cross-section area of the probe material. This research provides insights into the critical role of Cl in metal degradation and identifies the optimum Cl amount suitable for coal blending in power plants.