skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Aerodynamic characteristics of popcorn ash particles

Abstract

Popcorn ash particles are fragments of sintered coal fly ash masses that resemble popcorn in low apparent density. They can travel with the flow in the furnace and settle on key places such as catalyst surfaces. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are often used in the design process to prevent the carryover and settling of these particles on catalysts. Particle size, density, and drag coefficient are the most important aerodynamic parameters needed in CFD modeling of particle flow. The objective of this study was to experimentally determine particle size, shape, apparent density, and drag characteristics for popcorn ash particles from a coal-fired power plant. Particle size and shape were characterized by digital photography in three orthogonal directions and by computer image analysis. Particle apparent density was determined by volume and mass measurements. Particle terminal velocities in three directions were measured in water and each particle was also weighed in air and in water. The experimental data were analyzed and models were developed for equivalent sphere and equivalent ellipsoid with apparent density and drag coefficient distributions. The method developed in this study can be used to characterize the aerodynamic properties of popcorn-like particles.

Authors:
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
20947300
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Particulate Science and Technology
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 25; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 0272-6351
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS; ASHES; FLY ASH; PARTICLE SIZE; SHAPE; DENSITY; VELOCITY; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; FLUID FLOW; DRAG; FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; AERODYNAMICS

Citation Formats

Cherkaduvasala, V, Murphy, D W, Ban, H, Harrison, K E, and Monroe, L S. Aerodynamic characteristics of popcorn ash particles. United States: N. p., 2007. Web. doi:10.1080/02726350701375899.
Cherkaduvasala, V, Murphy, D W, Ban, H, Harrison, K E, & Monroe, L S. Aerodynamic characteristics of popcorn ash particles. United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/02726350701375899
Cherkaduvasala, V, Murphy, D W, Ban, H, Harrison, K E, and Monroe, L S. 2007. "Aerodynamic characteristics of popcorn ash particles". United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/02726350701375899.
@article{osti_20947300,
title = {Aerodynamic characteristics of popcorn ash particles},
author = {Cherkaduvasala, V and Murphy, D W and Ban, H and Harrison, K E and Monroe, L S},
abstractNote = {Popcorn ash particles are fragments of sintered coal fly ash masses that resemble popcorn in low apparent density. They can travel with the flow in the furnace and settle on key places such as catalyst surfaces. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are often used in the design process to prevent the carryover and settling of these particles on catalysts. Particle size, density, and drag coefficient are the most important aerodynamic parameters needed in CFD modeling of particle flow. The objective of this study was to experimentally determine particle size, shape, apparent density, and drag characteristics for popcorn ash particles from a coal-fired power plant. Particle size and shape were characterized by digital photography in three orthogonal directions and by computer image analysis. Particle apparent density was determined by volume and mass measurements. Particle terminal velocities in three directions were measured in water and each particle was also weighed in air and in water. The experimental data were analyzed and models were developed for equivalent sphere and equivalent ellipsoid with apparent density and drag coefficient distributions. The method developed in this study can be used to characterize the aerodynamic properties of popcorn-like particles.},
doi = {10.1080/02726350701375899},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20947300}, journal = {Particulate Science and Technology},
issn = {0272-6351},
number = 3,
volume = 25,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2007},
month = {Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2007}
}