The pressurized thermogravimetric analyzer at Department of Combustion Research, Risø: Technical description of the instrument

A pressurized thermogravimetric analyzer has been constructed based on a DuPont TGA-51 thermogravimetric analyzer. The maximum design pressure and temperature range are 1550 deg. C and 45 bar. With the actual reaction tube material (quartz), however, the normal temperature limit is 1200 deg. C as demonstrated by tests.

For shorter periods of time, operation up to 1400 deg.C should be possible. Use of electrically heated piping for test - and exit gas enables H_2O - containing tests gases to be used for steam gasification studies. The instrument is suitable for characterizing solid fuels for gasification and combustion as demonstrated in a research programme recently carried out, comprising in all 72 experiments on coal and straw reactivity.

This work was supported by the Danish utility associations Elsam and Elkraft, and by the Danish Ministry of Energy and Environment under the EFP-91 research programme, contract no. ENS 1323/91-0016. (au) 2 tabs., 11 ills., 14 refs..