DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF HEATING ELEMENT FOR IGNITION OF LIGNITE COAL IN A FLUIDIZED BED COMBUSTOR
Publication Date : 01/08/2013
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Abstract :
This work presents the design and performance characteristics of heating element in ignition of Maiganga lignite coal in a fluidized bed combustor. The dimensions of the heating element were obtained by design calculations while the plenum, which houses the heating element, was constructed with mild steel plate and rammed with Enugu refractory fireclay as insulator. The screened samples of Maiganga lignite and Tongo gysum were dried in a laboratory oven to remove all moisture for easy fluidity through out the process. Gypsum particles were placed on top of the air distributor and 2 kg of Maiganga lignite were added on top of the gypsum bed material. Thermocouples were placed at different locations for measurement of temperature. As heating element was switched on while air flow rate at 6 l/s, the plenum temperature rose to 807 K (524oC) within 60 minutes, resulting in Maiganga lignite glowing red with observations of visible light indicating an ignition. Continuous heating by the element for up to 100 minutes results in the plenum temperature reaching 600oC, while outside wall temperature stood at 90 oC and bed temperature at 100oC
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