Comparison of Two-Equation Turbulence Models in Simulation of a Non-Swirl Coal Flame in a Pilot-Scale Furnace

Abstract

The capability of six two-equation Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models for simulation of a non-swirl coal flame in a pilot-scale furnace has been investigated. These turbulence models—the standard k-ϵ model, re-normalization group (RNG) k-ϵ model, modified k-ϵ model, Wilcox k-ω model, Menter k-ω model (also called BSL model), and Shear-stress transport (SST) model—are assessed with the use of measured gas phase velocity, temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide volume fraction data from the literature. Predictions of the standard k-ϵ model, RNG k-ϵ model, BSL, and SST model are generally in good agreement with the experimental data. The Wilcox k-ω model generally overpredicts O₂ volume fraction and underpredicts CO₂ volume fraction. The modified k-ϵ model yields results that have large discrepancies from measurements.

Keywords:

• CFD
• Coal combustion
• Non-swirl flame
• Two-equation turbulence model

Acknowledgments

The financial support provided by the Victorian Government Department of Primary Industries under the ETIS Program is gratefully acknowledged.