Mathematical modeling of the thermochemical processes of nitrogen oxides sequestration during combustion of wood-coal mixture particles

The article presents the results of a mathematical modeling of the combustion process of the particles of biomass/coal mixtures under conditions corresponding to the combustion chambers of the boiler units of the thermal power plants. The mathematical model of the ignition process developed by the authors differs from those presented earlier by a detailed description of the complex of the thermochemical and thermophysical processes that occur both in the boundary layer of the fuel particle and in its pores. The authors have formulated a new hypothesis about the sequestration of anthropogenic nitrogen oxides (NOx) at the initial stage of fuel combustion. It is accepted that the decrease in NOx yield during the combustion of biomass/coal fuel is due to the intensification of the formation of nitric (HNO3) acid vapors and their interaction with solid products of thermal decomposition of coal. The results of a numerical modeling of the processes under study show the possibility of a theoretical analysis of the conditions for co-combustion of the coal and wood particles, which provide a significant decrease in the yield of nitrogen oxides in comparison with the combustion of homogeneous coal. (C)2021 Energy Institute. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The article presents a mathematical modeling of the combustion process of biomass/coal mixtures in the combustion chambers of thermal power plant boilers. The authors developed a new hypothesis about the sequestration of anthropogenic nitrogen oxides (NOx) during fuel combustion. Numerical modeling shows the potential for significant reduction in nitrogen oxides yield through co-combustion of coal and wood particles.