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U.S. Department of Energy
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Computer modeling of erosion in fluidized beds

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7249583· OSTI ID:7249583
; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Argonne National Lab., IL (USA). Energy Systems Div.
  2. Illinois Inst. of Tech., Chicago, IL (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Erosion in fluidized-bed combustors, which comprises a near-commercial method of burning coal cleanly, has surfaced as a serious issue that may have adverse economic effects. The evidence suggests that the key to understanding this erosion is detailed knowledge of the coupled and complex phenomena of solids circulation and bubble motion. The FLUFIX computer code has been developed for this purpose. Computed hydrodynamic results compare well with limited experimental data (including the bubble frequency and size and the time-averaged porosity distribution) taken in a thin two-dimensional rectangular fluidized bed containing a rectangular obstacle. Six erosion models, which form a preliminary consolidation, are critiqued; a methodology is described whereby the computed hydrodynamic results can be used with these erosion models. All previous attempts (none involving fluidized beds) to couple fluid mechanics and erosion models are reviewed. Both transient and time-averaged energy dissipation models are developed, and shown to generalize the so-called power dissipation model used successfully to analyze slurry jet pump erosion. It is demonstrated, by explicitly introducing the force of the particle on the eroding material surface, that impaction and abrasive erosion mechanisms are basically the same. Linkage is made to the single-particle erosion models. The implementation and finite-difference equations are summarized. Finally, transient, time-averaged and time-averaged transient energy dissipations for the energy dissipation and Finnie erosion models are compared. The computed erosion rates are compared with each other and with available erosion data literature to validate the calculations. The results are reasonable, but a single-obstacle erosion experiment is necessary, to validate the computations. 99 refs., 28 figs., 5 tabs.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA). Energy Systems Div.
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/FE
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
7249583
Report Number(s):
ANL/ESD/TM-1; ON: DE90008159
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English