A comprehensive model for fluidized bed coal combustors

A comprehensive model for the simulation of fluidized bed coal combustors (FBC) is developed, capable of predicting the combustion efficiency, char and limestone elutriation and the corresponding particle size distribution in the bed and in the entrained materials, solids withdrawal rate from the bed, bed temperature profile, sulfur dioxide retention, sulfur dioxide and NOx emissions, concentrations of oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatiles, sulfur dioxide and NOx along the combustor height. The model can also simulate combustors with varying cross section along the bed height. The performance of the model is compared with the data obtained from four different combustors. Agreement between the computed results and the data is good. The salient features in the model which need further investigation are pointed out.