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Simulation of gaseous combustion and heat transfer in a vortex combustor

Journal Article · · Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications
 [1];  [2]
  1. Tsinghua Univ., Beijing (China). Dept. of Engineering Mechanics
  2. Catholic Univ. of America, Washington, DC (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Swirl has been commonly used in many furnaces, boilers, internal combustion engines, and combustors because of its advantages in stabilizing the flame, enhancing mixing and heat transfer, prolonging fuel residence time, and abating pollutants. Recently, a novel vortex combustor (VC) characterized by a strong swirl and low combustion temperature environment was developed. Its objective is to help increase coal utilization in an efficient and clean manner for small- and medium-scale boilers. This article presents the numerical simulation of gaseous combustion and heat transfer in a novel vortex combustor (VC). A new algebraic Reynolds stress model for strongly swirling turbulence, the eddy break up model for turbulent combustion, and the four-heat-flux model for thermal radiation were employed in the present calculations. Different thermal boundary conditions were specified on the combustor walls. The calculations were conducted on a 22-cm ID VC firing gaseous fuel at 58-, 41-, and 38-kW thermal inputs. Detailed effects of firing rate on the gas axial and tangential velocities, streamlines, temperature, species mass concentrations and wall heat removal are presented, from which the distinct features of the VC flow, combustion, and heat transfer are delineated.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
596780
Journal Information:
Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications, Journal Name: Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 32; ISSN 1040-7782; ISSN NHAAES
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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