Numerical modelling of unsteady transport and entropy generation in oxy-combustion of single coal particles with varying flow velocities and oxygen concentrations

Wang, L., Karimi, N. , Sutardi, T. and Paul, M. C. (2018) Numerical modelling of unsteady transport and entropy generation in oxy-combustion of single coal particles with varying flow velocities and oxygen concentrations. Applied Thermal Engineering, 144, pp. 147-164. (doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2018.08.040)

[img]
Preview
Text
166598.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

2MB

Abstract

Unsteady generation of entropy and transfer of heat and chemical species in the transient oxy-combustion of a single coal particle are investigated numerically. The burning process takes place in oxygen and nitrogen atmospheres with varying chemical compositions and under either quiescent or active flows. The combustion simulations are validated against the existing experimental data on a single coal particle burning in a drop-tube reactor. The spatio-temporal evolutions of the gas-phase temperature and major gaseous species concentration fields as well as that of entropy generation are investigated for the two types of gas flow. It is shown that the rates of production and transport of chemical species reach their maximum level during the homogenous combustion of volatiles and decay subsequently. Yet, the transient transfer of heat of combustion continues for a relatively long time after the termination of particle life time. This results in the generation of a large amount of thermal entropy at post-combustion stage. The analyses further indicate that the entropy generated by the chemical reactions is the most significant source of unsteady irreversibilities. Most importantly, it is demonstrated that a slight oxygenation of the atmosphere leads to major increases in the total chemical entropy generation and, thus it significantly intensifies the global irreversibilities of the process. However, upon exceeding a certain mole fraction of oxygen in the atmosphere, further addition of oxygen only causes minor increases in entropy generation. This trend is observed consistently in both quiescent and active flow cases.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Linwei Wang acknowledges the financial support of Chinese Scholarship Council and the University of Glasgow through a PhD scholarship.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Paul, Professor Manosh and Sutardi, Mr Tata and Wang, Dr Linwei and Karimi, Dr Nader
Authors: Wang, L., Karimi, N., Sutardi, T., and Paul, M. C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Applied Thermal Engineering
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1359-4311
ISSN (Online):1359-4311
Published Online:13 August 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd.
First Published:First published in Applied Thermal Engineering 144:147-164
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record