Three-dimensional unsteady numerical simulation of a 150 kWth full-loop chemical looping combustion pilot with biomass as fuel: A hydrodynamic investigation

Abstract

A hydrodynamic model for a full Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) unit was established, and simulations performed using the code NEPTUNE_CFD, which is based on an Euler-Euler approach. The unit is a 150 kWth pilot constructed at SINTEF Energy Research. Three-dimensional unsteady numerical simulations were carried out for studying the local and instantaneous behavior inside the system, and its effect on the mean quantities relevant to the process. Solid volume fraction, mass flow rate and phase velocities were computed and analyzed. Comparison with experimental results showed that the pressure was globally well predicted. Two collision models were also investigated. The agitation between neighboring particles was found to be rather uncorrelated; for this reason, the two collision models led to almost the same results. This work represents a hydrodynamic assessment of CLC using biomass as fuel. It allows to provide insight in the flow within the system, with fairly moderate computational costs. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Three-dimensional unsteady numerical simulation of a 150 kWth full-loop chemical looping combustion pilot with biomass as fuel: A hydrodynamic investigation