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U.S. Department of Energy
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Reaction modeling of an atmospheric fluidized-bed coal combustor

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5376678

A model of an atmospheric fluidized-bed combustor of coal was developed to account for combustion in both the bubbling-bed and freeboard regions. The bubbling bed was modeled by the method of Louis and Tung, while the freeboard model assumed undispersed gas and solid phases. Comparison of feed, bed, and elutriant particle-size distributions obtained from the model indicated realistic qualitative predictions. Parametric sensitivity analyses with respect to bed temperature, superficial velocity, and coal feed rate indicated physically realistic trends. Inclusion of the free-board region slightly increased predicted combustion efficiencies but led to values which exceeded those reported from the Babcock and Wilcox facility. On the other hand, the model underpredicted those values when the freeboard was excluded. The main weakness of the present model results from dependent inputs which must be calculated a priori to maintain consistency.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Oak Ridge, TN (USA). School of Chemical Engineering Practice
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5376678
Report Number(s):
ORNL/MIT-303
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English