Characteristics of multi-phase flow with particle evaporation in a combustor with counter-flow injection.

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Energy Convers. Manage.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0196-8904(95)00004-W· OSTI ID:986307

Chang, S L; Lottes, S A

Seed particles are added to a high temperature reacting flow to achieve the desired electric conductivity for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation. The evaporation rate of the see particles and the uniformity of the seed vapor distribution in the reacting flow are major factors affecting the performance of the MHD system. An integral reacting flow (IRF) computer code was used to calculate the multi-phase flow characteristics in an MHD combustor and predict the optimum operating conditions of the combustor. The IRF code is a general hydrodynamics computer code for multi-phase, two dimensional, steady state, turbulent, and reacting flows, based on mass, momentum, and energy conservation laws. A unique integral reaction submodel in the IRF code enhances numerical convergence while preserving the major physical effects of the complex combustion processes. The combustor is a rectangular channel in which a mixture of fuel gas and seed particles enters from one end and exits at the other, while the oxidizer is injected from the sides. The major findings of a parametric study included: (1) the seed particle evaporation rate varies for different oxidizer injection angles; (2) the optimal evaporation rate was found at an injection angle around 130{sup o}; (3) the seed particle size had a major effect on particle dispersion and vapor mixing; (4) seed particles with a diameter of 34 {micro}m or larger were only partially vaporized in the combustor, and the seed vapor distribution at the combustor exit was highly non-uniform; and (5) significant particle deposition was found on the side walls upstream of the oxidizer injection slots. Theoretical predictions were in general agreement with experimental trends.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: FE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 986307
• Report Number(s): ANL/ES/PP-81500
• Journal Information: Energy Convers. Manage., Journal Name: Energy Convers. Manage. Journal Issue: 11 ; November 1995 Vol. 36; ISSN 0196-8904; ISSN ECMADL
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTORS
COMPUTER CODES
CONVERGENCE
DEPOSITION
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
EVAPORATION
FUEL GAS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MIXTURES
OXIDIZERS
PARTICLE SIZE
PERFORMANCE
POWER GENERATION
SEEDS