Wear mechanism of oxide-bonded SiC refractory tiles in the combustion zone of waste-to-energy facilities

Refractory tiles used in waste-to-energy facilities are exposed to high temperatures (T_flue-gas ≈ 1200 °C) and corrosive environment with gases and fly ashes. Post-mortem examination of refractory tiles from the combustion zone of waste-to-energy plants was conducted to understand the damage mechanism of the refractory material. Corroded refractory tiles from this area showed an important loss of matter and large cavities on the hot surface. Investigations highlighted the weakness of the refractory matrix of the material. In contact with slag deposit and corrosive gases, the bonding phase of the refractory material is dissolved and SiC grains are oxidized which causes the spalling of the hot face of refractory tiles.