Recent applications of CFD modelling in the power generation and combustion industries

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling is now widely applied as an industrial plant development and process optimisation tool. The steady increase in computer power over recent years has enabled process engineers to model reacting multi-phase flows in a realistic geometry with good mesh resolution. As a result, the number of applications of CFD to industrial processes is also growing rapidly and increasing in sophistication. This paper reviews some of the recent applications of the CFX-4 code CFX-4.3: Solver Manual, AEA Technology Engineering Software, 1999] to the power generation and combustion industries. The aim is to illustrate what can be done and also to identify trends and those areas where further work is needed. Examples include coal-fired low-NO_x burner design, furnace optimisation, over-fire air, gas reburn, and laminar flames. It is argued that the trend is for CFD models to become more comprehensive and accessible by being coupled to other process models and embedded in automated information and process control systems.