CFD Simulation and Experimental Study on a Thermal Energy Storage–Updraft Solid Waste Gasification Device

Zepeng Sun, Yazhuo Wang, Jing Gu (), Haoran Yuan, Zejian Liu, Leilei Cheng, Xiang Li and Xian Li
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Zepeng Sun: Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Yazhuo Wang: Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Jing Gu: Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Haoran Yuan: Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Zejian Liu: Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Leilei Cheng: Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Xiang Li: Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Xian Li: State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-33

Abstract: A thermal energy storage–updraft gasification device is a type of reactor that should be considered for use in solid waste gasification research that can save energy. However, the operating parameters and internal flow field during its operation remain unclear. In this study, a numerical model of the thermal energy storage–solid waste gasification device based on the computational fluid dynamics dense discrete phase model (CFD-DDPM) which had almost never been used before was established, and an innovative method that causes particles to be piled to simulate the gasification process was proposed according to the updraft fixed bed gasification characteristics; meanwhile, solid waste gasification experiments were conducted on the device. This study focused on the influence of moisture content and excess air coefficient on the gasification process of solid waste particles, and the velocity, pressure, temperature, and species distribution of the internal flow field of the device were analyzed. Simulation results showed that the higher the moisture content of particles, the greater the amplitude of changes in the internal physical field of the device. The fluid pressure drop is around 25 Pa–75 Pa for different working conditions. The combustible species of the gas of moist particles raise slightly with the increase in excess air coefficient, while the dry particles have the opposite effect. Compared with other gasification devices of the same type, the hydrogen production of this device is about 2–3 times higher. Our findings could facilitate the analysis, predict the operation status, and provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of this device.

Keywords: solid waste gasification; updraft fixed bed; multiphase flow; CFD-DDPM; moisture content (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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