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U.S. Department of Energy
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Computer modeling of coal gasification reactors. Quarterly technical progress report, October 1, 1977--December 31, 1977

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6848212· OSTI ID:6848212

The development of the computer model for fluidized bed coal gasification reactors was continued. This model can now represent both planar and axisymmetric geometries; the development and testing of this axisymmetric capability was completed. Comparisons between numerical simulations of axisymmetric jets and bubbles and the corresponding data show excellent agreement. A new formulation for the numerical simulation of the convective transport of gas species and temperature was developed and is being incorporated into the computer model. Calculations of jet penetration and bubble formation, with application to the Synthane gasifier were performed. These studies were directed to the prediction of bed height and mass flow influences upon bubble formation and rise in the vicinity of the Synthane distributor plate. A three dimensional version of the entrained flow coal gasification computer model was developed and preliminary calculations were performed. The entrained flow model was also used to calculate two dimensional channel flows of a particle laden gas. Comparisons between these calculations and exact solutions showed excellent agreement. Theoretical studies of the heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions appropriate to coal gasification reactors were continued. A single particle model for coal-char devolatilization was developed to describe species and total volatile yield in entrained flow coal gasification; this model utilizes the kinetic data of Howard and his coworkers. A study of burning carbon particles, including transient heating, particle porosity and homogeneous reactions was completed; comparisons of predicted burnout time with data show good qualitative and quantitative agreement.

Research Organization:
Systems, Science and Software, La Jolla, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6848212
Report Number(s):
FE-1770-41; SSS-R-78-3618
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English