Analytical and numerical investigation of the impact of various coal types on coal-fired boiler combustion parameters

Abstract

The efficiency of power plants that burn coal is inversely related to the coal's quality. Ash buildup is one of the environmental problems caused by low- quality coal's poor combustion characteristics. This article presented the results of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of the combustion and flow processes in a massive furnace. We put A, B, and C—three distinct sub-bituminous coals—to the test. Keeping an eye on the furnace's temperature, species concentration, and flow rate allows us to forecast how well the coals will burn. The operator provided the precise boiler furnace geometry, which was then converted into a CFD model with minimal adjustments required for mesh optimisation. The investigation found that coal B had the maximum combustion temperature, at around 1400°C. Coal C, ironically, is anticipated to have the shortest flame duration and the largest velocity peak in some furnace zones, therefore more flow is needed to attain the same penetration as other coals. Optimal combustion is shown by the trace of the oxygen concentration within the furnace. The rear pass, fed by Coal A, has very little oxygen remaining.