Modelling of the Swelling of SiC-Based Refractory Lining Used in Waste-to-Energy Plants

This work provides a computational model of the chemo-mechanical behavior of based refractories used in waste to energy plant (WTE) linings. In this application, oxygen gas present in the atmosphere diffuses through the porosity and reacts with the refractory producing silica (SiO₂). This new phase clogs gradually the pores and causes swelling of the refractory lining. The proposed thermo-chemo-mechanical model which simulates these phenomena is briefly summarized. The results obtained from the model implemented in a F.E code prove the ability of the model to reproduce qualitatively the swelling of post-mortem bricks taken from WTE linings.