This paper presents the results of an experimental and theoretical investigation on the importance of dependent effects in determining the emittance of ash deposits. A model has been developed to predict the spectral emittance (directional, normal, hemispherical) of semi-transparent and opaque particulate deposits without considering dependent effects. Predictions from this model have been presented to illustrate the effects of particle size and composition. Hemispherical transmission and reflection measurements have been performed on semi-transparent and opaque particular deposits over a wavelength range typical of pf fired furnances and spectral emittance has been deduced therefrom. Well characterised slag particles, with composition and size similar to ash deposits formed in pf fired furnances, have been used in the measurements. For the opaque deposit, difference between the model predictions and measurements, in terms of emittance, have been found to be significant at wavelengths up to 7 mu m. This difference is believed to be largely due to dependent effects. Such measurements and comparisons appear to be the first of its kind and more experiments are recommended to quantify the effects.