Development of a particle submodel for CFD-simulations of fixed-bed combustion
Paper in proceeding, 2012

Fixed-bed conversion is one of the standard methods for conversion of biofuels. However, in several cases the performance observed in applications of fixed-bed conversion of biomass and waste is far from optimal. Mathematical modeling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has a large potential to assist in the optimization of the fuel conversion processes, with regard to parameters such as burnout, emissions, fuel flexibility and material wear. To this end, computationally efficient models that can handle the most important features of the fuel conversion processes are needed. In the present work, a model is derived for the drying and devolatilization of a moist wood particle in an inert atmosphere. This model is compared to experimental data and discussed in relation to similar models of higher and lower degrees of computational complexity. It is shown that the proposed model is able to predict the correct drying and devolatilization behavior by using only a small number of variables. It is also outlined how this model can be extended to include the char combustion and effects on the multi-particle scale, such as local collapses of the fuel bed.

fixed bed

grate furnaces

mathematical modelling

solid fuels

biomass

Author

Henrik Ström

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Energy Technology

Henrik Thunman

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Energy Technology

Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Applied Energy (ICAE2012)

Vol. Paper ID: ICAE2012-A10287

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Energy Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics

Areas of Advance

Energy

More information

Created

10/7/2017