Method of conditioning fireside fouling deposits using large particle size amorphous silica

Abstract From the Canadian patent

In a coal fired boiler of the type having a combustion zone in which said coal is fired, a convection zone located downstream from said combustion zone and having a plurality of heater tubes disposed therein adapted to heat water or steam disposed therein and, in which convection zone combustion residues emanating from said coal have a tendency to stick to or agglomerate upon said tubes a method, of decreasing said tendency to stick or agglomerate comprising, burning said coal in the presence of an additive consisting essentially of amorphous silica particles, substantially all of said particles being greater than about 38 microns in diameter.