Abstract

In combustion applications of fluidised bed reactors, the solid particles are subject to heterogeneous gas-solid chemical reactions, abrasive attrition and other thermal and mechanical processes. The resulting changes in the overall solid phase significantly influence reactor performance. This paper illustrates a particle balance model which accommodates particle distributions dependent on both size and density as well as populations consisting of multiple solids. The proposed model is tested using literature data on coal conversion obtained in a pilot scale circulating fluidised bed combustor. Model simulations give a fair representation of experimental results for different coal ranks and in a range of operating conditions, including varying temperature of combustion, excess of oxygen and superficial gas velocity in the bed.

Recommended Citation

Nicolella, Cristiano and Pratola, Federica (2008) "Prediction of Conversion Yield in Circulating Fluidised Bed Combustors Using a Two-Dimensional Population Balance," International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering: Vol. 6: A76.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ijcre/vol6/A76