Simulation of a full-scale pressurized fluidized bed combustor by using semi-empirical pilot plant correlations

A model, based on semi-empirical correlations, was developed to simulate the behavior of a pressurized fluidized bed combustor (PFBC) under various operating conditions. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive survey of one-dimensional empirical correlations applicable to a PFBC and which were used to assemble a 1-D predictive model of the complete performance of a pressurized fluidized bed combustor. The model was adjusted in order to reproduce process and in-bed data taken at Escatrón PFBC power station (Spain) under a wide range of operating conditions. The novelty of this approach lies in the use of full-scale information to validate empirical correlations, the objective being to draw specific conclusions on the reliability of empirical PFBC modeling. The model was validated using experimental power plant data. Good agreement was found between the computed results and actual plant data of bed temperature profiles, bed density, char and sorbent elutriation, fuel feed rate, in-bed and entrainment particle size distributions, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations, heat transfer coefficients along the combustor height and heat transfer to the tube bundles under different operational regimes. This paper describes the model, as well as its results, validation and prospects for future work.