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Dissertation
A combustion kinetic model for refuse derived fuel in fluid bed boilers
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
1992
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00009456
Abstract
A modelling study of the combustion kinetics of refuse derived fuel (RDF) in fluid bed boilers is presented. Refuse derived fuels are significantly different from traditional fuels due to a larger fraction of volatile matter and a lower carbon content. As they are derived from waste, their composition varies widely. RDF also has a significantly shorter total combustion time than traditional fuels. The devolatilization behavior of RDF during combustion is key to understanding the overall kinetics. A mathematical model is presented for the prediction of the devolatilization behavior of RDF based on the individual component devolatilization behavior. The individual component devolatilization behaviors are correlated as mean apparent activation energies determined from thermogravimetric analysis. The model is solved in a FORTRAN computer program and describes the RDF devolatilization within the range of experimental results. A method to estimate the RDF moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash, and heating values is presented for alternative levels of preprocessing of waste material. Results are given for various levels of removal of metals, glass, paper and plastic. A combustion kinetic model which incorporates the devolatilization model for a single particle of RDF is presented. The model predicts the time-temperature behavior for RDF particles with widely varying compositions. The mathematical model has been solved in a FORTRAN computer program and the results are compared to a limited set of pilot plant data. For small particles (1/4 gram), the model predicts the pilot plant RDF combustion times within 5% for total combustion time, 9% for fixed carbon burnout time, and 18% for drying and devolatilization time. A method is presented to scale-up the combustion kinetic model for larger particles to full scale fluid bed combustion conditions and results are estimated for larger particles.
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Details
- Title
- A combustion kinetic model for refuse derived fuel in fluid bed boilers
- Creators
- Stephen Vaughn Smith
- Contributors
- Nicholas Peter Cernansky (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)David Leslie Miller (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 153 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021888973004721