Impact of Particle Size and Carrier Gas on Pulverized Bituminous Coal Emissions: Experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis

Abstract

This study explores the influence of particle size and carrier gas on the clean and efficient combustion of pulverized 'Barapukuria' bituminous coal. Both experimental and numerical analyses were conducted to examine the temperature and fluid flow in a 1400 mm long vertical furnace with a 344 x 344 mm² interior crosssection. High-Temperature Air Combustion (HTAC) was employed to minimize NOx emissions. The research focused on volatile matter and reactivity during combustion, evaluating their impact on NOx, CO2, and CO generation. CO2 was used as a carrier gas to inject coal particles with sizes ranging from 0.001 to 0.02 mm. Results showed flue gas recirculation and varied devolatilization patterns with different particle sizes. Smaller particles produced less NOx compared to larger particles, highlighting the potential for improved combustion and reduced emissions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis also supported the experimental results. By optimizing combustion parameters, this study may contribute to achieve environmental sustainability. Journal of Engineering Science 14(1), 2023, 65-76