Open Access

ARTICLE

MEASUREMENTS AND MODELING OF FLUID FLOW AND THERMAL PROCESSES IN AN INDUSTRIAL PRECALCINER

Qingxin Ba^a , Scott Egbert^b, Xuefang Li^a,* , Lin Cheng^a,**

a Institute of Thermal Science and Technology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250061, China
b Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
* Corresponding author. Email: lixf@sdu.edu.cn
** Corresponding author. Email: cheng@sdu.edu.cn

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer 2019, 12, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.5098/hmt.12.20

Abstract

Precalciner performance is crucial to the production rate and lifespan of cement kiln systems. The gas-solid flow and pulverized coal combustion processes in an industrial precalciner were numerically modeled to understand the flow patterns and thermal processes in the system. The gas and meal flow rates and properties were measured on-site to determine the boundary conditions for the simulations and to validate the models. The upward swirl of the gas flow in the furnace helped disperse the particles and extend their duration in the precalciner. The O₂ and CO₂ concentration distributions indicated that the coal particles were well dispersed and fully combusted. The calculations showed that the precalciner outlet temperature was too high which reduces the thermal efficiency and may damage the preheater installed just after the precalciner. Finally, an optimized precalciner was proposed to improve the temperature distribution. The present work can be used for improving the design of industrial precalciners.

---

Keywords

---