An analysis of Brazilian sugarcane bagasse ash behavior under thermal gasification.

Background: Ashes from sugarcane were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence, ash content, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). FactSage 6.4 database software was used to estimate viscosity at high temperatures (900 - 1550°C) of them. Results: The results showed that although ashes from sugarcane bagasse contain silica, most of its SiO2 is from soil contamination. Higher and lower silica samples treated at 1350°C for 20 minutes showed that the fine portion of fraction of the ashes melted at this temperature. Conclusions: The melting phase could act as sticking flux for the coarse silica particles on the gasifier bottom wall, which could compromise the gasification process