Abstract
The effects of kaolin and calcite additives on the rye straw ash sintering behaviors were investigated. The rye straw ash has a high sintering tendency, with observation of severe fusion during combustion. The formation and melting of potassium silicates play key roles in sintering of the rye straw ash at elevated temperatures. Fusion characteristics temperatures of the rye straw ash were significantly increased upon kaolin and calcite addition. Kaolin addition led to formation of high temperature melting potassium aluminum silicates, which were revealed by XRD analyses. Due to formation of high temperature melting species due to kaolin addition, the severe sintering of the rye straw ash was significantly reduced. Addition of calcite provided CaO to react with silica in the rye straw ash, causing generation of high temperature melting calcium rich silicates. In addition, the dilution effect from calcite is a main reason for improved rye straw sintering behaviors.