Laminar Burning Velocities of Atmospheric Coal Air Mixtures

Abstract The mechanism for laminar dust flame propagation can only be elucidated from a comprehensive mathematical model which incorporates conduction and radiation, as well as the chemical kinetics of particle devolatilization and gas phase and char rea ction. The mathematical model for a flat, laminar, premixed coal-air flame is applied to the atmospheric coal-air mixtures studied by Smoot and co-workers, and comparisons are made with their measurements and predictions. Here the principal parameter for comparison is the laminar burning velocity. The studies of Smoot and co-workers are first reviewed and compared with those predicted by the present model. The effects of inlet temperature and devolatilization rate constants on the burning velocities are studied with the present model, and compared with their measurements and predictions. Their m easured burning velocities are approximately predicted with the pr esent model at relatively high coal concentrations, with a somewhat increased inlet temperature. From the comparisons, their model might over-estimate particle temperature and rates of devolatilization. This would enable coal-air mixtures to be burned without any form of preheat and would tend to increase their computed values of burning velocity.