Computational model for microstructure and effective thermal conductivity of ash deposits in utility boilers

The ash deposits formed in pulverized-coal fired power plants reduce heat transfer rate to furnace wall, super heater tubes, and other heat transfer surfaces. The thermal properties that influence strongly on this heat transfer depend mainly on the microstructure of the ash deposit. This dissertation examines three issues associated with the ash deposits in utility boilers: (1) the three-dimensional model for characterization of the ash deposit microstructures from the sample ash deposits, (2) the computational model for effective thermal conductivity of sintered packed beds with low conductive stagnant fluids, and (3) the application of thermal resistor network model for the effective thermal conductivity of ash deposits in utility boilers.; The SEM image analysis was conducted on two sample ash deposits to characterize three-dimensional microstructure of the ash deposit with several structural parameters using stereology. A ballistic deposition model was adopted to simulate the deposit structure defined by the structural parameters. The inputs for the deposition model were chosen from the predicted and measured physical parameters, such as the size distribution, the probability of the particle rolling, and the degree of the particle sintering. The difference between the microstructure of the sample deposits and the simulated deposits was investigated and compared quantitatively based on the structural parameters defined. Both the sample and the simulated deposits agree in terms of the structural parameters.; The computational model for predicting the effective thermal conductivity of sintered packed beds with low conductive stagnant fluid was built and the heat conduction through the contact area among sintered particles is the dominant mode of heat transfer. A thermal resistor network is used to model the heat conduction among the sintered particles and the thermal resistance among the contacting particles is estimated from both the contact area and the contact angle along the direction of heat flow. The thermal resistor network model was validated by the direction simulation through the finite volume code.; Based on both the ballistic deposition model and the thermal resistor network model, the effective thermal conductivity of the ash deposit was predicted and compared with the measurements on several ash deposits.