V. V. Salomatov

Numerical simulation of ignition of particles of a coal–water fuel

The problem of particle ignition of coal–water fuel has been solved. The simultaneous processes of water vaporization and thermal decomposition of the solid fuel are taken into account. The conditions and characteristics of particle ignition of coal–water fuel under typical furnace conditions were determined by numerical simulation. The obtained values of the ignition delay time are in good agreement with published experimental data.

The influence of heat transfer conditions on the parameters characterizing the ignition of coal-water fuel particles

The future of thermal power engineering both in Russia and abroad will depend in many respects on the use of coal as main fuel for generating heat and electricity. In this connection, matters concerned with development and introduction of new environmentally friendly and energy efficient coal firing technologies are becoming of much importance. Firing coal in the form of coal-water fuel is one of the most promising solutions. However, despite a rather long history of its development (more than 40 years), this technology has not found wide use as yet, which in all likelihood is due to lack of full mathematical and physicochemical models describing the processes that take place when a coal-water fuel particle undergoes thermal treatment and ignition. The article presents the results obtained from numerical solution of the coal-water fuel particle ignition problem taking into account simultaneously occurring main thermal treatment processes (thermal conductivity, water evaporation, filtration heat and mass transfer, thermal decomposition of the fuel organic part, and thermochemical interaction between water vapor and coke carbon). The ignition problem is solved using the finite difference method. For calculating the evaporation process taking into account nonequilibrium nature of the parameters at the interface boundary of the initial “coal-water fuel—dry coal” system, the method of capturing the phase transition front at the difference mesh node was used. The results obtained from numerical modeling were used for determining the conditions and parameters characterizing the ignition of coal-water fuel particles under the conditions typically existing in the furnace space of boiler units. The extent to which radiant heat transfer influences the ignition delay time is determined. It is shown that radiant heat transfer plays a determining role in the thermal preparation of fuel for ignition.

Modeling of pulverized coal combustion processes in a vortex furnace of improved design. Part 1: Flow aerodynamics in a vortex furnace

Some results of the complex experimental and numerical study of aerodynamics and transfer processes in a vortex furnace, whose design was improved via the distributed tangential injection of fuel-air flows through the upper and lower burners, were presented. The experimental study of the aerodynamic characteristics of a spatial turbulent flow was performed on the isothermal laboratory model (at a scale of 1 : 20) of an improved vortex furnace using a laser Doppler measurement system. The comparison of experimental data with the results of the numerical modeling of an isothermal flow for the same laboratory furnace model demonstrated their agreement to be acceptable for engineering practice.

Initiation of combustion of coal particles coated with a water film in a high-temperature air flow

Results of an experimental study of ignition of a coal–water fuel in a high-temperature air flow are presented. The fuel is obtained on the basis of the mark D coal or filter cake of the Severnaya dressing plant. Based on the experimental results, physical and mathematical models of the processes of thermal preparation and ignition of coal–water fuel particles are formulated, which take into account the joint proceeding of the most relevant physical and chemical transformations (which exert an essential effect on the ignition condition) and the processes of heat and mass transfer during the induction period. A comparison of the basic ignition characteristics (ignition delay time and limiting values of the gas medium temperature), which are obtained experimentally and theoretically (based on results of numerical simulations), leads to a conclusion that the water film affects the dynamics of the ignition process.

Modeling of pulverized coal combustion processes in a vortex furnace of improved design. Part 2: Combustion of brown coal from the Kansk-Achinsk Basin in a vortex furnace

This paper continues with the description of study results for an improved-design steam boiler vortex furnace, for the full-scale configuration of which the numerical modeling of a three-dimensional turbulent two-phase reacting flow has been performed with allowance for all the principal heat and mass transfer processes in the torch combustion of pulverized Berezovsk brown coal from the Kansk-Achinsk Basin. The detailed distributions of velocity, temperature, concentration, and heat flux fields in different cross sections of the improved vortex furnace have been obtained. The principal thermoengineering and environmental characteristics of this furnace are given.

Ignition of the drops of coal–water fuel in a flow of air

The ignition of the drops of coal–water fuel (CWF) in a high-temperature gas (air) flow was experimentally studied. The conditions and fundamental characteristics of the ignition (ignition delay times) were found. The effects of a number of factors (drop sizes and ambient temperatures) on the conditions of ignition were examined. Based on the results of experiments, a physical model was formulated for the processes of thermal preparation and ignition of CWF drops. The experimental delay times of the ignition of CWFs were compared with the theoretical values (obtained with the use of a previously developed mathematical model).

Ignition of Particles of Wet Woody Biomass under Convective Diffusion of Water Vapor in the Near-Wall Region

This paper presents the results of an experimental and theoretical study of heat and mass transfer during ignition of wet wood particles in a high-temperature gas medium. Experiments were carried out in a setup which provides conditions similar to the combustion spaces of boiler units. The main heat transfer parameters (ambient temperature) and integrated ignition characteristics (ignition delay) were measured. The measurement error of these parameters did not exceed 18%. The convective transfer of water vapor formed during evaporation of pore moisture and pyrolysis products were found to have an insignificant effect on the ignition characteristics and conditions. From the results of the experiments, a mathematical model of the ignition process was developed which describes the simultaneous occurrence of the main processes of thermal preparation under conditions of intense phase (evaporation of water) and thermochemical transformations (thermal decomposition of the organic part of the fuel, thermochemical interaction between water vapor and carbon coke, ignition of volatiles) taking into account the convective diffusion of water vapor and pyrolysis products in the near-wall gas area during the induction period. The theoretical ignition delay is in satisfactory (within the confidence interval) agreement with the experimental value. The numerical model of the diffusion flame adequately (good agreement between experimental and theoretical ignition delays) describes the ignition of a wet wood particle.

Influence of the temperature dependence of the thermophysical properties of coal–water fuel on the conditions and characteristics of ignition

The results of an experimental study and mathematical simulation of the ignition of coal–water fuel (CWF) particles, the main thermophysical characteristics of which (thermal conductivity (λ), heat capacity (C), and density (ρ)) depend on temperature, are reported. Based on the results of the numerical study, the influence of changes in the thermophysical properties upon the heating of the main bed of fuel on the conditions and characteristics of its ignition was analyzed. The ignition delay times (ti) of CWF particles were determined under the typical furnace conditions of boiler aggregates. As a result of the mathematical simulation of the process of CWF ignition, it was established that the temperature dependence of thermophysical characteristics can exert a considerable effect on the characteristics and conditions of ignition. In this case, it was found that the ignition of coal–water drops is possible under the conditions of their incomplete dehydration. A good agreement of the theoretical ignition delay times of the CWF particles and the experimental values of ti was established.