Using CFD to improve the performance of a heat exchanger from a gasifier

Liliana Dumitrescu,Andrei Pătruț,Edmond Maican,Ioan Pavel,Cătălin Dumitrescu,Iuliana Găgeanu,G.P Negreanu,M Tazerout,C Ertekin,N.V Vlăduţ

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202128601010

Abstract

In this paper, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis is performed on a gas-liquid heat exchanger fitted on a gasification equipment. The flow and temperature patterns are preliminary investigated using SolidWorks Flow Simulation software, in order to gain insight into the involved physical processes, and to find the exchanger weak points before being manufactured and tested. The analysed equipment tranfers heat from the flue gasses generated by a gasification system, towards a liquid heat transfer medium. This is subsequently sent to a second liquidliquid heat exchanger used to heat water from a boiler. As a result of the analysis, solutions aiming at performance improvement of the equipment are discussed and proposed.

Highlights

Full exploitation of biomass energy potential is a strategic part of the EU renewable energy policy, as stated within the Directive 2009/28/EC [1]
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an usual tool that is used in performance assessment and improvement
This paper presents the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to evaluate the performance of a heat exchanger from an existing gasification system and to assess a modified and improved design, and to propose solutions for further improvements

Summary

Introduction

Full exploitation of biomass energy potential is a strategic part of the EU renewable energy policy, as stated within the Directive 2009/28/EC [1]. The emphasis is on supply chains and on a 20% improvement of the technology efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) savings. Higher efficiency alternatives to simple biomass burning are considered, such as thermo-chemical conversion through gasification, avoiding health threats such as relatively high levels of GHG emmissions (N2O and CH4), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or particulate matter [2, 3]. An important aspect of these type of equipment is the way heat is recovered from the flue gas. Depending on flue gas parameters, gasification system geometry, ease of maintenance, fluids, and performance requirements, various types of heat exchangers have been studied and used. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an usual tool that is used in performance assessment and improvement

Methods

Results

Conclusion