1st Edition

Computational Modeling of Pulverized Coal Fired Boilers

By Vivek V. Ranade, Devkumar F. Gupta Copyright 2015
    304 Pages
    by CRC Press

    288 Pages 32 Color & 96 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Harness State-of-the-Art Computational Modeling Tools

    Computational Modeling of Pulverized Coal Fired Boilers successfully establishes the use of computational modeling as an effective means to simulate and enhance boiler performance. This text factors in how computational flow models can provide a framework for developing a greater understanding of the underlying processes in PC boilers. It also provides a detailed account of the methodology of computational modeling of pulverized coal boilers, as well as an apt approach to modeling complex processes occurring in PC boilers in a manageable way.

    Connects Modeling with Real-Life Applications

    Restricted to the combustion side of the boiler (the authors assume some prior background of reaction engineering and numerical techniques), the book describes the individual aspects of combustion and heat recovery sections of PC boilers that can be used to further improve the design methodologies, optimize boiler performance, and solve practical boiler-related problems. The book provides guidelines on implementing the material in commercial CFD solvers, summarizes key points, and presents relevant case studies. It can also be used to model larger boilers based on conventional, super-critical, or ultra-super critical technologies as well as based on oxy-fuel technologies.

    Consisting of six chapters, this functional text:

    • Provides a general introduction
    • Explains the overall approach and methodology
    • Explores kinetics of coal pyrolysis (devolatilization) and combustion and methods of its evaluation
    • Presents computational flow modeling approach to simulate pulverized coal fired boiler Covers modeling aspects from formulation of model equations to simulation methodology
    • Determines typical results obtained with computational flow models
    • Discusses the phenomenological models or reactor network models
    • Includes practical applications of computational modeling

    Computational Modeling of Pulverized Coal Fired Boilers explores the potential of computational models for better engineering of pulverized coal boilers, providing an ideal resource for practicing engineers working in utility industries. It also benefits boiler design companies, industrial consultants, R & D laboratories, and engineering scientists/research students.

    Introduction

    Coal Fired Boilers

    Computational Modeling

    Organization of the Book

    References

    Toward the Computational Modeling of Pulverized Coal Fired Boilers

    Overall Approach

    Engineering Design Models

    Particle-Level Models

    Boiler-Level Models

    Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Models

    Reactor Network Models

    Applying Computational Models to Practice

    Summary

    References

    Kinetics of Coal Devolatilization and Combustion: Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Drop-Tube Furnace (DTF)

    Coal Devolatilization and Combustion

    Coal Characterization Using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

    Coal Characterization Using the Drop-Tube Furnace (DTF)

    Summary and Conclusions

    References

    CFD Model of a Pulverized Coal Fired Boiler

    Formulation of CFD Model of a PC Fired Boiler

    CFD Simulations of a PC Fired Boiler

    Summary and Conclusions

    References

    Reactor Network Model (RNM) of a Pulverized Coal Fired Boiler

    Approach to Develop Reactor Network Models

    Formulation of Reactor Network Models from CFD Simulations

    Model Equations and Solution

    Application of the RNM to a Typical 210-MWe PC Fired Boiler

    Summary and Conclusions

    References

    Application to Practice

    Performance Enhancement Using Computational Models

    Application of CFD Models to PC Fired Boilers

    Application of Reactor Network Models to PC Fired Boilers

    Common Pitfalls in Computational Modeling

    Summary

    References

    Summary and the Path Forward

    Notations

    Index

    Biography

    Vivek V. Ranade is a deputy director of CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India. His research interests include process intensification, reactor engineering, and multiphase flows. Ranade holds a B.Chem.Eng. (1984) and PhD. (1988) from the University of Mumbai (UDCT), India. He has successfully developed solutions for enhancing the performance of a wide range of industrial processes and has facilitated their implementation in practice. He has also developed various devices (micro-reactors, filters, vortex diodes) and products, and published more than 120 papers and three books. In addition, he is also an entrepreneur and has co-founded a company, Tridiagonal Solutions (www.tridiagonal.com).

    Devkumar F. Gupta is currently a principal scientist at Thermax Limited, Pune, India. His research interest lies in converting solid fuels into high value-added products using fluidized bed reactors. He has had an instrumental role in the design, computational modeling, and establishment of high-pressure gasification demonstration plants in India. He has worked jointly with utility industries to develop computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and reduced order numerical models for pulverized coal fired boilers. He has presented several research papers at international and national conferences on clean coal technology. He holds a Ph.D. (2011) in chemical engineering from the University of Pune, India.

    "This book aims to provide the reader with a pragmatic approach to modeling pulverized coal fire boilers. Because of the importance of improving the efficiency of such systems and reducing CO2 emissions, this book would serve as a good reference text for future engineers engaging in handling pulverized coal fire boilers. The close link between CFD and reactor models represents the unique feature of this book."
    —Guan Heng Yeoh, Associate Professor, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    "The book presents an overall view of PC boilers design, operation, as well useful suggestions on their modeling and simulation."
    —Prof. Dr. Marcio Luiz de Souza-Santos, University of Campinas