Numerical Analysis of the Equilibrium Composition and Structural Features of Coal Combustion Products

Abstract

Coal is one of the primary working substances in the fossil-based power generation sector. The objective of this study is to investigate the combustion process of coal and its associated environmental consequences. We conduct numerical simulations to analyze the intricate processes associated with coal burning, considering both proximal and ultimate properties of various coal variants. The structural features in the fluidized bed, such as porosity and mass concentration in relation to pressure distribution, along with the limit value of pressure of a plume of dust at theoretical combustion temperature, are thoroughly studied. Various chemical reactions that occur during the burning of coal are considered to calculate the equilibrium composition of combustion products. We determine how the excess temperature and the amount of oxygen present significantly affect the equilibrium composition of combustion products. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the behavior of coal burning and its associated impacts. The enhancement of efficiency and environmental sustainability in coal-fired power plants can be achieved by a comprehensive study of the structural features and equilibrium composition of combustion byproducts. This work contributes to the field of energy research by offering a thorough numerical analysis of coal combustion products. The study findings can be utilized to improve combustion processes, reduce emissions, and enhance combustion efficiency. In order to enhance the comprehensiveness of our findings, we propose the utilization of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology.