Thermodynamic and kinetic modeling and experiment on plasma ignition of pulverized high-ash coal

Solid fuels are relatively inexpensive and widely available, making them an attractive option for energy producers. However, they are currently inefficient in converting heat energy into electricity, and new technological advances are needed to make them more efficient. Plasma ignition and stabilization of pulverized coal flame provides a cost-effective and sustainable approach to boiler start-up and combustion stabilization, avoiding the traditionally used fuel oil or gas. This technology consists of heating the air-coal mixture with electric arc plasma to the temperature of coal devolatilization and partial gasification of the coke residue. Thus, a highly reactive two-component fuel, consisting of combustible gas and coke residue, is obtained from the original coal. In this paper, a comprehensive thermodynamic and kinetic analysis was carried out. A thermodynamic analysis was carried out to study the optimal parameters of plasma ignition and stabilization of combustion of a pulverized fuel flame. Kinetic modeling of the process of plasma ignition and stabilization of combustion of pulverized fuel made it possible to obtain changes in temperatures, velocities and concentrations of high-temperature two-component fuel components along the length of the plasma-fuel system. In experiments on plasma ignition of thermal coal, a stable coal-dust flame was obtained, and its temperature, composition and degree of carbon gasification were determined. Comparison of experimental and calculated data showed satisfactory agreement.