Modeling of laminar pulverized coal flames with speciated devolatilization and comparisons with experiments

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2006 · Combustion and Flame

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2005.07.007· OSTI ID:20685986

Bradley, D; Lawes, M; Park, Ho-Young ^[1]; Usta, N ^[2]

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1. School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT (United Kingdom)
2. Mechanical Engineering Department, Pamukkale University, Denizli (Turkey)

In an earlier mathematical model of laminar pulverized coal-air combustion, supported by added CH{sub 4}, it was assumed that the volatiles from the coal consisted solely of CH{sub 4} and HCN. A revised model is introduced with speciated devolatilization rate constants for tar, CH{sub 4}, CO, CO{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O, H{sub 2}, and HCN. It is assumed that these rate constants can also be applied to the devolatilization of the tar. In addition, it is assumed that the soot is predominantly carbon and is oxidized by the attack of O, H, OH, and O{sub 2}, in the same way as the coal char. Because the devolatilization rate is strongly dependent on particle temperature, the latter has to be determined accurately from the momentum and energy equations of the particle. The model is one-dimensional, with axial radiative transfer. The introduction of soot formation and speciation of the volatiles results in much improved accuracy in the prediction of species and temperature profiles in subatmospheric combustion on a flat flame matrix burner. It is possible to derive an overall global devolatilization rate constant that agrees reasonably with the measurements. These computations suggest that the effective area of the assumed spherical coal char particles is four times greater than that of the assumed sphere. Modeling of atmospheric pressure flames suggests that in this case, the value of 4 should be reduced, probably because, as pressure increases, the diffusion flux of reactant is reduced. Subatmospheric pressure laminar burning velocities are predicted with satisfactory accuracy over the full range of overall equivalence ratios. Previous measurements of laminar burning velocity at atmospheric pressure are reviewed. However, the various means of supporting a stable coal flame and the associated uncertain geometries make it impossible to apply the present model to the different conditions. It is suggested that burning velocities measured on a flat flame burner, with a controlled amount of methane to support the combustion of a pulverized coal/air mixture, would provide a good test of the reactivities of different coals.

• OSTI ID: 20685986
• Journal Information: Combustion and Flame, Journal Name: Combustion and Flame Journal Issue: 1-2 Vol. 144; ISSN CBFMAO; ISSN 0010-2180
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
CHARS
COAL
COAL TAR
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION KINETICS
DEVOLATILIZATION
FLAMES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
PULVERIZED FUELS
SOOT
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE