Modeling of an internally circulating fluidized bed reactor for thermal treatment of industrial solid wastes

Abstract

AbstractA predictive mathematical model is developed to describe and characterize the key design variables of a novel Internal Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor. The model is based on fundamental principles of heat transfer, mass transfer, hydrodynamics and reaction kinetics. Under justifiable assumptions unsteady state mathematical equations are written and solved. The input parameters of the model are gas and solid flowrates, solid circulation flux, as well as physical properties of gas and solids. The model allows to predict and to investigate the temperature, the combustible conversion, the oxygen concentration, the residence time, the voidage and the solid velocity in the riser. Experiments with spent foundry sand are undertaken in order to assess the validity of the model. The predictions for the transition period of heating clean sand and the treatment of waste compare satisfactorily to the experimental data.