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Submicron Aerosol Formation During Combustion of Pulverized Coal

Citation

Senior, Constance Lynn (1984) Submicron Aerosol Formation During Combustion of Pulverized Coal. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/70GT-H495. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-02022007-105020

Abstract

A detailed investigation is conducted into the fundamental processes responsible for the formation of submicron aerosol during combustion of pulverized coal. To this end, both theoretical and experimental tools are developed.

The first part of the work consists of a numerical simulation of the vaporization of ash and formation of aerosol. The work combines a model of a single, burning coal particle with one of the formation of aerosol by nucleation and the growth of aerosol by coagulation. A quasi-steady approach is used to model combustion and aerosol formation and this is shown to be valid a posteriori. Calculations are performed for vaporization of refractory oxides during combustion. The effect of thermophoresis on the transport of aerosol around a burning coal particle is found to be small. For refractory species like silica, nucleation typically occurs within 4-5 particle radii from the surface of the coal particle. Thus, in this case, nucleation is controlled by the combustion process. The vaporization rate is found to be weakly dependent on the presence of aerosol in the gas.

The second part of this work is the development of an experimental system in which to study the aerosol formation processes. A new material is produced that is similar to coal in many respects, but is chemically simpler and more well-characterized. This makes it possible for the first time to study the fundamental aerosol formation processes without interference from the complex chemistry of coal ash. Experiments in a laminar drop-tube furnace confirm that this material burns in a manner similar to coal and that combustion produces an aerosol from vaporization of ash.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Coal; Combustion; Aerosol
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Environmental Science and Engineering
Minor Option:Chemical Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Flagan, Richard C.
Thesis Committee:
  • Cass, Glen Rowan (chair)
  • Gavalas, George R.
  • Hoffmann, Michael R.
  • Zukoski, Edward E.
  • Flagan, Richard C.
Defense Date:26 July 1983
Additional Information:Thesis file (PDF) missing pp. viii and 260.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSFUNSPECIFIED
Pasadena Lung AssociationUNSPECIFIED
Jesse Smith Noyes FoundationUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-02022007-105020
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-02022007-105020
DOI:10.7907/70GT-H495
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:464
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:15 Feb 2007
Last Modified:02 May 2020 01:22

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