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No abstract

During this quarter, agglomerates formed in laboratory coal combustion tests were analyzed to determine the chemical and mineral reactions which lead to the cohesion of bed particles. Combustion tests were conducted at 75%, 90%, 100%, and 120% theoretical air values. The test at 75% theoretical air resulted in the formation of bed agglomerates within 30 minutes.Agglomerates which formed at the lower theoretical air values were compared to unagglomerated bed samples by x-ray diffraction analyses (XRD). Polished thin sections of the agglomerates were made for optical and scanning electron microscopy. Polarized-light microscopy was performed using a Zeiss research microscope. Individual particles were analyzed using an ARL electron microprobe and a JOEL 840 scanning electron microscope.