Volatilization Characteristic of Chloride Salts During the Production of Fired Brick Under Different Atmospheres

The behavior of chloride (Cl) salts in high-temperature environments is critical for various industrial processes, including waste treatment and material synthesis. However, the influence of different atmospheric conditions on the volatilization and interaction of Cl salts with clay minerals remains poorly understood. Previous studies have primarily focused on individual salt types under limited conditions, leaving a gap in the comprehensive understanding of how atmosphere composition affects Cl salt volatilization at high temperatures. This work addresses this gap by systematically investigating the volatilization behaviors of NaCl, KCl, and CaCl2 in different atmospheres (air, N2(g), NH3(g), and H2O(g)) across temperatures from 750 to 1050 °C. The results revealed significant differences in volatilization rates, with H2O(g) atmosphere significantly enhancing Cl volatilization, especially for NaCl and KCl, while CaCl2 showed notably lower volatilization. N2(g) and NH3(g) atmospheres exhibit a similar, moderate effect on Cl volatilization, while the air atmosphere suppressed Cl volatilization due to the formation of stable oxide structures. Thermodynamic simulations confirmed the formation of HCl(g) as the primary volatile species, with metal cations forming stable silicates and feldspar compounds with clay minerals. DFT calculations highlighted that H2O(g) lowers the energy barrier for chloride salt decomposition, accelerating volatilization by weakening the bond between metal cations and Cl ions. These findings provide valuable insights into the impact of atmospheric conditions on the volatilization of Cl salts in high-temperature environments.