Slagging-fouling evaluation of empty fruit bunch and palm oil frond mixture with bituminous ash coal as co-firing fuel

The empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm oil frond mixture, called EFFR, can be utilized as co-firing fuel for coal-fired power plants to reduce carbon emissions. However, the addition of EFFR can influence the ash deposition characteristic of power plant fuel due to its high chlorine and alkali content. This study evaluates the slagging-fouling propensity of EFFR when blended with bituminous ash coal in several compositions. Theoretical methods using indices and the SCK ternary phase diagram, experimental procedure with drop tube furnace combustion, and ash observation methods utilizing visual and instrumental observations are carried out. The results show that co-firing EFFR can effectively reduce ash deposition. The slagging-fouling risk tendency slightly increases, adding up to 15 wt% EFFR has a higher slagging tendency, while the addition of 20 wt% EFFR has a higher fouling tendency. According to a thorough evaluation, co-firing 5–20 wt% EFFR with bituminous coal is still acceptable.