Alkali Sulphur Ratio | Benefit to overcome for Cyclone clogging | ASR |

Part-6: Alkali Sulphur Ratio | Benefit to overcome for Cyclone clogging | ASR |

The alkali-sulfur ratio is a term commonly used in the context of coal combustion and its impact on the environment, particularly in relation to the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) during the combustion process. This ratio is important in understanding the potential for sulfur retention in coal combustion residues, such as fly ash.

Here's how it generally works:

Alkali Content: Alkali refers to elements such as sodium (Na) and potassium (K) found in coal. These elements can react with sulfur during combustion to form alkali sulfates.

Sulfur Content: Sulfur is a common component of coal, and its combustion can result in the formation of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which is a major contributor to air pollution.

The alkali-sulfur ratio is calculated by dividing the total alkali content in the coal by its sulfur content. The idea is that if there is enough alkali present, it can combine with sulfur to form alkali sulfates. These alkali sulfates are less volatile than sulfur dioxide and are more likely to remain in the solid residues (such as fly ash) rather than being released into the atmosphere.

Loss on ignition (LOI) : To measure the amount of chemically combined water in a cement sample. This test helps in determining the amount of volatile components in the cement, such as carbonates and organic matter, which can impact the cement's quality and performance.

How to calculate LOI?
1. Sample Preparation: A representative sample of the cement clinker or raw material (Lime stone, Laterite, Gypsum, Shale, Coal, etc) is collected. The sample is usually ground to a fine powder to ensure uniformity.

2. Heating: The sample 1 to 100 gm is placed in a crucible or Covered Platinum crucibles (20-25ML), and it is heated (15-20 minute) in a controlled environment (often a high-temperature Muffle furnace) to a specific temperature, usually around 900 to 1000 °C.

3. Measurement: The weight of the crucible and sample before heating and the weight after heating are carefully measured. The difference in weight represents the loss of mass due to the removal of volatile components.

4. Calculation: The LOI is calculated as a percentage of the original sample weight (W2-W1) using the following formula:

LOI (%) = [W2- W3] × 100 / [W2-W1]

W1: Weight of empty crucible
W2: Initial weight of Crucible & sample
W3: Final weight of Crucible & sample

#AlkaliSulphurRatio #ASR #LSF #Limestaturationfactor #LOI #Lossoningnition #clinkerliquidphase #%liquidinclinker #Cementplantformula #cementplant #cementpdm #Qualitycontrol #QC #Cementformula #Clinkerchemistry #Rawmixdesign #Silicamodulous #Aluminaratio #Aluminamodulous #cementchemistry #Silicaratio #Aluminamodulus