In the paper, the numerical simulation program coupled with the detailed chemical reaction mechanism and computational fluid dynamics software was applied to calculate the concentration profiles of CO, NOx, and SOx during co-combustion of coal and biomass. The predicted data are compared to experimental results in an entrained flow combustion reactor to validate the numerical method for pulverized coal combustion. The characteristics of pollutant emissions in co-combustion with coal and three typical kinds of biomasses (Swedish wood, Danish straw, and sewage sludge) are also investigated. NO formation is significantly affected by the reactor temperature, and an increasing temperature obviously enhances the NO concentration. In the range of the calculated temperature, the final SO2 emission level is not obviously influenced by the temperature. Co-combustion technology could effectively reduce the pollutant emissions, and the effect is proportional to the blending ratio of biomass. The biomass with low contents of nitrogen and sulfur and a high volatile content and lower heating value is an ideal co-fired fuel to reduce NO and SO2 emissions.[DOI:10.1021/ef201729r]

This paper was published as:
Wei XL;Guo XF;Li S;Han XH;Schnell Uwe;Scheffknecht Gunter;Risio Benedetto. Detailed modeling of NOx and SOx formation in co-combustion of coal and biomass with reduced kinetics. ENERGY & FUELS, 26(6):3117-3124 (2012)