Numerical modelling and simulation of pulverized solid-fuel combustion in swirl burners

A finite-volume numerical model for computer simulation of pulverized solid-fuel combustion in furnaces with axisymmetric-geometry swirl burner is presented. The simulation model is based on the k - ε single phase turbulence model, considering the presence of the dispersed solid phase via additional source terms in the gas phase equations. The dispersed phase is treated by the particle source in cell (PSIC) method. Solid fuel particle devolatilization, homogenous and heterogeneous chemical reaction processes are modelled via a global combustion model. The radiative heat transfer equation is also resolved using the finite volume method. The numerical simulation code is validated by comparing computational and experimental results of pulverized coal in an experimental furnace equipped with a swirl burner. It is shown that the developed numerical code can successfully predict the flow field and flame structure including swirl effects and can therefore be used for the design and optimization of pulverized solid-fuel swirl burners.