Title: Euler-Euler simulation of wood chip combustion on a grate - effect of fuel moisture content and full scale application

Authors: D. Kurz; U. Schnell; G. Scheffknecht

Addresses: Institute of Combustion and Power Plant Technology (IFK), University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 23, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany ' Institute of Combustion and Power Plant Technology (IFK), University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 23, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany ' Institute of Combustion and Power Plant Technology (IFK), University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 23, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Abstract: Nowadays, it is common practice to perform CFD calculations for optimisation purposes of technical biomass combustion applications. A numerical model for wood chip combustion on grate firing arrangements has been developed. The model is based on an Euler-Euler approach, enabling a detailed multiphase description of the combustion chamber in terms of flow, turbulence and heat transfer. The model explicitly accounts for interactions between bed and freeboard region and comprises a global description of the whole incineration process associated with wood combustion. For validation purposes, the effect of fuel moisture content in a 240 kW_th test facility has been observed experimentally and the results are opposed to the model predictions. Additionally, measurements within a 58 MWth full scale grate firing system have been conducted and the scalability of the numerical model towards industrial applications is investigated.

Keywords: CFD; computational fluid dynamics; Euler-Euler simulation; wood chip combustion; fuel moisture content; multiphase flow; biomass combustion; grate firing; modelling; turbulence; heat transfer.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2013.055060

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2013 Vol.13 No.5, pp.322 - 332

Published online: 31 Oct 2013 *

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