Model for biomass char combustion in the riser of a dual fluidized bed gasification unit: Part II — Model validation and parameter variation

The two-phase combustion model for biomass char combustion in a riser of a dual fluidized bed gasification unit that has been presented in part I is validated using the data obtained from the 8 MWth dual fluidized bed reactor at Guessing/Austria. The model is capable of calculating the average temperatures in all zones, the gas phase composition, solid hold up, char feed rates and air ratio. The model predictions for the temperature profile along the riser and for the exiting gas composition are in good agreement with the measured values. The simulation results show that the residual char from the gasifier is only partly converted in the riser for char particles larger than 0.6 mm. Un-combusted char is circulated back into the gasification reactor. Parameter variations show that the exact location where additional liquid fuels are introduced in the middle zone of the riser does not affect the global behaviour of the combustion reactor. Based on the simulation results it is proposed that external supply of char (additional) may be a very effective method for reducing producer gas recycling to the riser, which is currently necessary to obtain the desired gasification temperatures.     

Modeling the temperature in coal char particle during fluidized bed combustion

The temperatures of a coal char particle in hot bubbling fluidized bed (FB) were analyzed by a model of combustion. The unsteady model includes phenomena of heat and mass transfer through a porous char particle, as well as heterogeneous reaction at the interior char surface and homogeneous reaction in the pores. The parametric analysis of the model has shown that above 550 °C combustion occurs under the regime limited by diffusion. The experimental results of temperature measurements by thermocouple in the particle center during FB combustion at temperatures in the range 590-710 °C were compared with the model predictions. Two coals of different rank were used: lignite and brown coal, with particle size in the range 5-10 mm. The comparisons have shown that the model can adequately predict the histories of temperatures in char particles during combustion in FB. In the first order, the model predicts the influence of the particle size, coal rank (via porosity), and oxygen concentration in its surroundings.     

Fragmentation of wood char in a laboratory scale fluidized bed combustor

Casuarina equisetifolia, a hard wood, and a popular energy crop in many tropical countries, was investigated experimentally for its char fragmentation in a laboratory scale atmospheric bubbling fluidized bed combustor. The effect of fuel shape and size on wood char fragmentation was studied. Wood particles of spherical, cylindrical (aspect ratio of 1), and cubical shapes of different sizes ranging from 10 to 25 mm were used in the experiments. Fragmentation of wood char was quantified in terms of various parameters, such as Number of Fragments (NF), Percentage of Fragmentation Events, Frequency of Fragmentation, Timing interval of Fragmentation, Size distribution of char and Fragmentation Index (FI). Also, qualitative observations on the evolution of char in terms of deformation, cracks and surface texture are discussed. It was observed that Casuarinaequisetifolia wood of sizes greater than 15 mm, of all shapes undergoes primary fragmentation during the devolatilization phase. Furthermore, chars fragment at the early stages (1st or 2nd quarter) of the char combustion phase, underscoring the significance of the phenomenon in fluidized bed combustion. For all the shapes of wood considered, there appears to be a cut-off size of the initial wood, below which its char certainly undergoes fragmentation. It was observed that the average char particle size at any instance during its combustion falls in a narrow range of 3.7–6.9 mm, 3–6.6 mm and 3–9.5 mm for spherical, cylindrical and cubical wood particles, respectively. Wood of initially cylindrical shape undergoes extensive fragmentation when compared with spherical and cubical shapes.     

Modelling of circulating fluidized bed combustion of a char

The combustion of a char in the 41 mm ID riser of a laboratory circulating fluidized bed combustor has been investigated at different air excesses and rates of solids (char and sand) circulating in the loop. Riser performance was characterized by an axial oxygen concentration profile as well as by the overall carbon content and particle size distribution. The proposed model accounts for carbon surface reaction, intraparticle and external diffusion, and attrition. External diffusion effects were relevant in the riser dense region where char was potentially entrapped in large clusters of inert solids. Experimental data and results of the model calculations are in satisfactory agreement.     

The fragmentation of coal particles during the coal combustion in a fluidized bed

This paper presents an experimental method for studying the fragmentation of coal particles during coal combustion in a fluidized bed and the quantitative fragmentation indexes of 10 typical Chinese coal ranks. The influences of a variety of factors such as the bed temperature, the size of coal particles, the coal rank and the fluidizing medium on the fragmentation index of coal particles are also studied. The research results show that the main reason for the fragmentation of coal particles is the primary fragmentation, and that the volatile matter can drastically influence the degree of fragmentation of coal particles.     

Co-combustion of peach and apricot stone with coal in a bubbling fluidized bed

In this study a bubbling fluidized bed combustor (BFBC) having an inside diameter of 102 mm and a height of 900 mm was used to investigate the co-combustion characteristics of peach and apricot stones produced as a waste from the fruit juice industry with coal. A lignite coal was used for co-combustion. On-line concentrations of O₂, CO, CO₂, SO₂, NO_X and total hydrocarbons (C_mH_n) were measured in the flue gas during combustion experiments. Variations of emissions of various pollutants were studied by changing the operating parameters (excess air ratio, fluidization velocity, and fuel feed rate). Temperature distribution along the bed was measured with thermocouples.     

Attribution of sewage sludge and sludge-based char in a fluidized bed reactor

Fluidized bed pyrolysis has been recognized as an innovative technology for sewage sludge treatment. The physical and attrition properties of sewage sludge are changed through the fluidized bed pyrolysis. The minimum fluidization velocities and attribution rate constants for sewage sludge and sludge based-char were obtained from pressure drop and attribution tests. As a result, sewage sludge with 20% moisture content and char were classified as Geldart B solids and the superficial gas velocity for bubbling fluidization was 0.2142-0.8755 m/s. In addition, attribution of the sewage sludge and char was more affected by particle size than by material type. The equations for the overall attrition rate constants are K _a × 10⁵ = 1.09U − 14.82 for sludge and ln k _a = 0.1(U−U _mf )− 13.63 for char, respectively.     

Co-combustion of coal and biomass in a circulating fluidized bed combustor

In this research, co-combustion of coal and rice husk was studied in a circulating fluidized bed combustor (CFBC). The effects of mixed fuel ratios, primary air and secondary air flow rates on temperature and gas concentration profiles along riser (0.1 m inside diameter and 3.0 m height) were studied. The average particle size of coal from Maetah used in this work was 1,128 mm and bed material was sand. The range of primary air flow rates was 480–920 l/min corresponding to U _g of 1.0–2.0 m/s for coal feed rate at 5.8 kg/h. The recirculation rate through L-valve was 100 kg/hr. It was found that the temperatures along the riser were rather steady at about 800–1,000 degrees Celsius. The introduction of secondary air improved combustion and temperature gradient at the bottom of the riser, particularly at a primary air flow rate below 1.5 m/s. Blending of coal with biomass, rice husk, did improve the combustion efficiency of coal itself even at low concentration of rice husk of 3.5 wt%. In addition, the presence of rice husk in the feed stocks reduced the emission of both NO _x and SO₂.     

Modelling and experimental investigation of devolatilizing wood in a fluidized bed combustor

A two-dimensional model is developed for the determination of devolatilization time and char yield of cylindrical wood particles in a bubbling fluidized bed combustor. By using the concept of shape factor, the model is extended to particles of cuboid shape. The model prediction of the devolatilization time agrees with the measured data (present and those reported in the literature) for cylindrical and cuboidal shaped particles within ±20% while the char yield is predicted within ±17%. Influence of some important parameters namely, thermal diffusivity, external heat transfer coefficient and shrinkage, on the devolatilization time and char yield are studied. Thermal diffusivity shows noticeable influence on devolatilization time. The external heat transfer coefficient shows little influence beyond a value of 300 W/(m² K). However particle shrinkage shows negligible effect on the devolatilization time but has a significant influence on the char yield.     

Modeling and experimental studies on single particle coal devolatilization and residual char combustion in fluidized bed

Single particle devolatilization followed by combustion of the residual coal char particle has been analyzed in a batch-fluidized bed. The kinetic scheme with distributed activation energy is used for coal devolatilization while multiple chemical reactions with volume reaction mechanism are considered for residual char combustion. Both the models couple kinetics with heat transfer. Finite Volume Method (FVM) is employed to solve fully transient partial differential equations coupled with reaction kinetics. The devolatilization model is used to predict the devolatilization time along with residual mass and particle temperature, while the combined devolatilization and char combustion model is used to predict the overall mass loss and temperature profile of coal. The computed results are compared with the experimental results of the present authors for combustion of Indian sub-bituminous coal (15% ash) in a fluidized bed combustor as well as with published experimental results for coal with low ash high volatile matter. The effects of various operating parameters like bed temperature, oxygen mole fraction in bulk phase on devolatilization time and burn-out time of coal particle in bubbling fluidized bed have been examined through simulation.     

Biomass combustion in fluidized bed boilers: Potential problems and remedies

Due to increasing environmental concerns especially related with the use of fossil fuels, new solutions to limit the greenhouse gas effect are continuously sought. Among the available alternative energy sources, including hydro, solar, wind etc. to mitigate greenhouse emissions, biomass is the only carbon-based sustainable option. On one hand, the versatile nature of biomass enables it to be utilized in all parts of the world, and on the other, this diversity makes biomass a complex and difficult fuel. Especially the high percentages of alkali (potassium) and chlorine, together with high ash content, in some brands of biomass prove to be a major source of concern. However, mechanisms leading to corrosion and high dust emissions problems have been identified and a range of possible solutions is already available. Among the technologies that can be used for biomass combustion, fluidized beds are emerging as the best due to their flexibility and high efficiency. Although agglomeration problems associated with fluidized bed combustors for certain herbaceous biofuels is still a major issue, however, but successful and applicable/implementable solutions have been reported. This review article presents the major issues concerned with biomass combustion with special reference to the small scale fluidized bed systems (small to pilot scale). Problems have been identified, mechanisms explained and solutions have been indicated. In conclusion, a range of concerns including environmental, economical and technical associated with biomass exist, but none of these issues represent an insurmountable obstacle for this sustainable energy source.     

Mixing and combustion in a shallow coal-limestone fluidized bed combustor

A model based on the Monte Carlo approach was developed to simulate the mixing and combustion behavior of a shallow coal-limestone fluidized bed combustor. The model involved the coupling of two sub-models: a combustion sub-model based on the two-phase concept of fluidization and a mixing sub-model based on our previously developed dynamic mixing model. The combustion sub-model considered both the volatile and char combustion. It assumed that the combustor consisted of three distinct phases, i.e., jet, bubble and emulsion, with combustion occurring only in the emulsion phase. The mixing sub-model considered the upward or downward movement of a coal particle in the bed as being governed by certain probability laws; these laws were, in turn, affected by the bubbling hydrodynamics. In all, the combustor simulation model took into consideration the effects of coal feed rate, coal size distribution, limestone size, air flow rate and combustor temperature on the combustor behavior. The simulation results included the dynamic response of coal concentration profile, coal size distribution, coal particle elutriation rate as well as the mixing status between the coal and limestone particles.     

DEM-LES simulation of coal combustion in a bubbling fluidized bed Part II: coal combustion at the particle level

The discrete element method-large eddy simulation (DEM-LES) is used to model coal combustion at the particle level in a bubbling fluidized bed. The gas phase is modelled as a continuum and the solid phase is modeled by DEM. Chemical reactions consist in the heterogeneous reactions of char with O₂, CO, CO₂, NO, and N₂O, and in the homogeneous reactions involving CO, O₂, NO, and N₂O. The colliding particle-particle heat transfer is based on the analysis of the elastic deformation of the spheres during their contact. The model predicts the effects of the particle heterogeneous flow structure on the thermal characteristics of coal particles when heating and burning, and the gaseous emissions from a fluidized sand-coal binary mixture. The heating rates are 1627 and for, respectively, 0.8 and diameter coal particles fed into the fluidized bed. The instantaneous contribution of the collision heat transfer is weak, less than 5.0% of the total power exchanges (coal combustion, radiation, convection and collision) during the heating and 1.5% during the combustion. The temperature of the coal particles exceeds the bed temperature, which is in qualitative agreement with experimental data from literature. The effects of the diameter of coal particles, of the bed temperature, and of the inlet gas velocity on the thermal characteristics are also studied.     

Combustion of single char particles in a turbulent fluidized bed

The combustion of single bituminous char particles (4-12 mm diameter) was studied in a turbulent fluidized bed operated at 1098 K using air as the fluidising medium. Results indicated that particles burn with constant density following a shrinking sphere model. Burning rates are much higher than those observed in a bubbling fluidized bed. The rate of transfer of oxygen to the particle surface is also higher than that observed in bubbling beds. A model is proposed to calculate the Sherwood numbers of the burning carbon particles. Experimental values of the Sherwood numbers agree well with those predicted from the model.     

Three-dimensional numerical modelling of a fast fluidized bed biomass gasifier to generate energy from wastes

The modelling of a biomass fluidized bed gasification system, one of the most effective ways to produce energy from biomass resources and wastes, has been performed in this study. The effect of the turbulence phenomena, including calculations relating to flow turbulence, chemical fuel reactions, and energy and momentum exchange between multiple solid and gas phases, has been taken into account in the current research as a novel approach. A computational fluid dynamics case study model that combines equations with comprehensive geometry has been considered. Results have been compared with published operational records of an existing power plant to validate the model. The solid particle distribution, the velocity of the mixture and gas phase, the turbulent flow viscosity ratio, and the temperature distribution in the model indicated the accuracy of the simulation performance compared with the experimental studies. The production of the molar fraction of the constituent elements of the synthesis gas has been evaluated in transient conditions. Additionally, 35 s after the process began, the system's performance was estimated, and the results indicated the average molecular weights of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane are 26%, 23%, 12.5%, and 3.3%, respectively, which presented high precision with the experimental results.     

Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst for the combustion of methane in a fluidized bed reactor

The applicability of a catalyst based on copper dispersed on γ-Al₂O₃ spheres (1 mm diameter) for fluidized bed catalytic combustion of methane has been assessed. Catalyst properties have been determined by physico-chemical characterization techniques and fixed bed activity tests revealing the presence of a surface CuAl₂O₄ spinel phase, still active and stable in methane combustion after repeated thermal ageing treatments at 800 °C. Methane catalytic combustion experiments have been performed in a 100 mm premixed fluidized bed reactor under lean conditions (0.15–3% inlet methane concentration), showing that complete CH₄ conversion can be attained below 700 °C in a fluidized bed of 1 mm solids with a gas superficial velocity about twice the incipient fluidization velocity.     

Devolatilization and combustion of large coal particles in a fluidized bed

Devolatilization and combustion of large particles of Eastern Canadian coals (Evans and Minto), 5-50 mm dia., were studied in a bench-scale atmospheric fluidized bed reactor at 1023-1173 K with 0.5 mm sand particles as the bed material. The devolatilization time, mass loss history, changes in proximate volatiles content and C/H mass ratio, and temperature history at the centre of the particle during devolatilization were determined. The mass loss during devolatilization is correlated with the proximate volatiles content of the parent coal. The devolatilization time is correlated with the initial particle diameter by a power-law relation with an exponent of 1.54-1.64. The results show insignificant effect of superficial velocity on devolatilization.     

流化床气化炉内煤颗粒的升温过程及影响

根据热传递理论,对夹套高温烟气加热的流化床气化炉内煤颗粒的升温过程进行了分析与计算,结果表明,颗粒的总体升温速率越高,颗粒升至床温所需的时间就越少;提高流化速度,有利于颗粒的升温,但是影响较小;颗粒粒径对颗粒的升温影响很大,随着颗粒粒径的减小,煤颗粒达到床温所需时间急剧下降。当粒径小于1mm,床温为700～1100℃时,颗粒内部能够在1s左右达到等温,3～5s后颗粒温度能升至99%床温。     

Formation of bed agglomeration in a fluidized multi-waste incinerator

A case study was carried out to investigate the bed agglomeration observed in a fluidized bed incinerator when burning blends of three wastes (carbon soot, biosludge and fuel oil). Several instrumental approaches were employed (i.e. XRF, SEM, XRD, and ICP-AES) to identify the bed materials (fresh sand and degrader sand) and clinkers formed in the full-scale incinerator tests. Several elements (V, Al, S, Na, Fe, Ni, P, and Cl), which normally are associated with the formation of low melting point compounds, were found in the waste blends at high content levels. The clinker bridges were identified to be associated with Al, Fe, V, K, Na, S, Ni, and Si elements.The effects of temperature and blending ratio were investigated in a muffle furnace. Carbon soot is believed to be more susceptible to the clinker formation than the other two fuels. Thermodynamic multi-phase multi-component equilibrium calculations predict that the main low melting point species could be Al₂(SO₄)₃, Fe₂(SO₄)₃, Na₂SO₄, NaCl, Na₂SiO₃ and V₂O₅. This information is useful to understand the chemistry of clinker formation. Also, it helps to develop methods for the control and possible elimination of the agglomeration problem for the design fuels.