The paper presents an overview of scaling models used for determining hydrodynamic parameters of Circulating Fluidized Bed boilers. The governing equations and the corresponding dimensionless numbers are derived and presented for three different approaches to the scaling law of fluidized beds: classical dimensional analysis, differential equations and integrated solutions and experimental correlations. Some results obtained with these equations are presented. Finally, the capabilities and limitations of scaling experiments are discussed.

According to data of the Central Statistical Office, the amount of sludge produced in municipal wastewater treatment plants in 2010 amounted to 526000 Mg d.m. The forecast of municipal sewage sludge amount in 2015 according to KPGO2014 will reach 642400 Mg d.m. and is expected to increase in subsequent years. Significant amounts of sludge will create problems due to its utilization. In order to solve this problem the use of thermal methods for sludge utilization is expected. According to the National Waste Management Plan nearly 30% of sewage sludge mass should be thermally utilized by 2022. The article presents the results of co-combustion of coal and municipal sewage sludge in a bubbling fluidized bed boiler made by SEFAKO and located in the Municipal Heating Company in Morag. Four tests of hard coal and sewage sludge co-combustion have been conducted. Boiler performance, emissions and ash quality were investigated.

The paper presents the results of model studies on the hydrodynamics of the world's first supercritical circulating fluidized bed boiler Lagisza 460 MWe, carried out on a scale model built in a scale of 1/20 while preserving the full geometrical similarity. To reflect the macroscopic pattern of flow in the boiler's combustion chamber, tests were carried out based on two dimensionless flow dynamic similarity criteria, while maintaining a constant Froude number value between the commercial and the scaled-down units. A mix of polydispersion solids with its fractional composition determined by scaling down the particle size distribution of the boiler's inert material was utilised for the tests using a special scaling function. The obtained results show very good agreement with the results of measurements taken on the Lagisza 460 MWe supercritical CFB boiler.

Experiments on a confined fluidized bed system with various shapes of particles have been presented in the paper. Its influence on hydrodynamic properties in the whole range of gas velocity has been analysed. Relations allowing calculation of the Richardson-Zaki-type equation coefficients, including description of inter-particle void and gas pressure drop in such systems have been determined. Necessary condition for confined fluidization of non-spherical coarse particles has also been determined.

The article presents the investigations of fluidized combustion of oily wastes derived from cold rollingmill process on a zeolite bed. Oily wastes generated in the rolling-mill process arc one of the most hazardous residues from metallurgical works because the toxic additives content. The experiments were carried out using a small laboratory combustor with full measurement equipment. The measurement apparatus associated with the combustion chamber made it possible to measure the basic parameters of the process including the composition of exhaust gasses. It has been shown that the combustion of oily wastes from cold rolling-mill process can be conducted efficiently and friendly for the environment.

The paper presents modeling and simulation results of the operation of a three-phase fluidized bed bioreactorwith partial recirculation of biomass. The proposed quantitative description of the bioreactor takes into account biomass growth on inert carriers, microorganisms decay and interphase biomass transfer. Stationary characteristics of the bioreactor and local stability of steady-stateswere determined. The influence of microbiological growth kinetics on the multiplicity of steady-states was discussed. The relationship between biofilm growth and boundaries of fluidized bed existence was shown.

The article reports the results of measurements of the acoustic pressure of acoustic waves generated by acoustic dust cleaners mounted in the convection pass of the 670MWth Circulating Fluidised Bed boiler. Based on measurements carried out and the spectral analysis of recorded signals it was found that the level of acoustic pressure generated by acoustic cleaners for the frequency of 100 Hz was too low for the efficient cleaning of the heated surfaces of the reheater RH2 and superheater SH3.

The aim of the paper is the petrographic characterization of coal from the Wieczorek mine and the residues after its gasification. The coal was subjected to gasification in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of about 900°C and in an atmosphere of oxygen and CO2. The petrographic, proximate, and ultimate analysis of coal and char was performed. The petrographic composition of bituminous coal is dominated by macerals of the vitrinite group (55% by volume); macerals of inertinite and liptinite groups account for 23% and 16.0%, respectively. In the examined char, the dominant component is inertoid (41% vol.). Mixed dense and mixed porous account for 10.9% and 13.5% vol., respectively. In addition, the examined char also contained unreacted particles such as fusinoids, solids (11.3% vol.), and mineroids (5.1% vol.). The char contains around 65% vol. of low porosity components, which indicates a low degree of carbon conversion and is associated with a low gasification temperature. The char was burned and the resulting bottom and fly ashes were subjected to petrographic analysis. Their composition was compared with the composition of ashes from the combustion of bituminous coal from the Wieczorek mine. Bottom ashes resulting from the combustion of bituminous coal and char did not differ significantly in the petrographic composition. The dominant component was mineroid, which accounted for over 80% vol. When it comes to fly ash, a larger amount of particles with high porosity is observed in fly ash from bituminous coal combustion.

The research was aimed at examining the impact of the petrographic composition of coal from the Janina mine on the gasification process and petrographic composition of the resulting char. The coal was subjected to fluidized bed gasification at a temperature below 1000°C in oxygen and CO2 atmosphere. The rank of coal is borderline subbituminous to bituminous coal. The petrographic composition is as follows: macerals from the vitrinite (61.0% vol.); liptinite (4.8% vol.) and inertinite groups (29.0% vol.). The petrofactor in coal from the Janina deposit is 6.9. The high content of macerals of the inertinite group, which can be considered inert during the gasification, naturally affects the process. The content of non-reactive macerals is around 27% vol. The petrographic analysis of char was carried out based on the classification of International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology.

Both inertoid (34.7% vol.) and crassinetwork (25.1% vol.) have a dominant share in chars resulting from the above-mentioned process. In addition, the examined char contained 3.1% vol. of mineroids and 4.3% vol. of fusinoids and solids. The calculated aromaticity factor increases from 0.75 in coal to 0.98 in char. The carbon conversion is 30.3%. Approximately 40% vol. of the low porosity components in the residues after the gasification process indicate a low degree of carbon conversion. The ash content in coal amounted to 13.8% and increased to 24.10% in char. Based on the petrographic composition of the starting coal and the degree of conversion of macerals in the char, it can be stated that the coal from the Janina deposit is moderately suitable for the gasification process.

The paper presents proposal of a model of the fluidized bed boiler adapted for use in model-based controllers e.g. predictive, adaptive or internal model control (IMC). The model has been derived in the form of transfer function matrix which allows its direct implementation in the controller structure. Formulated model takes into consideration the principal cross-coupling between process variables which enables the opportunity to search for feasibility of decoupling control. The results of the identification of the dynamics of the 2 MW industrial bubbling fluidized bed boiler using the proposed model form was presented. According to the experimental data it was found that despite of introduced simplifications presented model allows the boiler behavior prediction.

The paper presents the method of on-line diagnostics of the bed temperature controller for the fluidized bed boiler. Proposed solution is based on the methods of statistical process control. Detected decrease of the bed temperature control quality is used to activate the controller self-tuning procedure. The algorithm that provides optimal tuning of the bed temperature controller is also proposed. The results of experimental verification of the presented method is attached. Experimental studies were carried out using the 2 MW bubbling fluidized bed boiler.

A simple analytical method for determination of basic hydrodynamic characteristics of hybrid fluidized-bed air-lift devices was presented. These devices consist of two parts: a two-phase air-lift part and a two-phase liquid-solid fluidized-bed part. Forced circulation of fluid in the air-lift part is used for fluidization of solid particles in the fluidized-bed part. According to the opinion given in the literature, if such apparatus is used for aerobic microbiological processes, its advantage is lower shear forces acting on the biofilm immobilized on fine-grained material compared with shear forces in three-phase fluidized-bed bioreactors. Another advantage is higher biomass concentration due to its immobilization on fine particles, compared with two-phase airlift bioreactors. A method of calculating gas hold-up in the air-lift part, and gas and liquid velocities in all zones of the analyzed apparatus is presented.

Rare earth elements are characterized by the high risk of their shortage resulting from limited resources. From this reason REE constitute a group of elements of special importance for the European Union. The aim of this study was to evaluate ashes from the burning of coal in fluidized bed boilers as an potential source of REY . Twelve samples of fly ash and bottom ash taken from power plants in Poland were analyzed. Tests have shown that despite some differences in chemical composition, the fly ash and bottom ash from fluidized beds could be classified as the calsialic, low acid type. It was found that fly ashes contained more REY than bottom ashes. Among REY , the light elements (LREY ) had the highest share in the total REY content in both fly ashes and bottom ashes. Heavy elements (HREY ) had the lowest content. The normalized curves plotted for fly ash samples within almost all of their entire range were positioned above the reference level and these curves were of the L-M or H-M type. The content of the individual REY in these samples was even twice as high as in UCC . The normalized curves plotted for bottom ash samples were classified as of L, L-M or H type. They were positioned on the reference level or above it. The content of the individual REY in these samples was the same or up to about 4 times lower than in UCC. It was found that the content of critical elements and of excessive elements in fly ash and bottom ash differs, which has an effect on the value of the outlook coefficient Coutl, and which is always higher in the case of fly ash than in the case of bottom ash. Nevertheless, the computed values of the outlook coefficient Coutl allow both fly ash and bottom ash from fluidized beds to be regarded as promising REY raw materials.

The industrial grinding devices, which work in the high-energetic fluidized bed conditions make it possible to obtain guaranteed particle size distribution of product and decrease of consumption energy. The matrix model for transformation of particle size distribution in the fluidized bed opposed jet mill is presented in the part IV of article. The proposed model contains the mass population balance of particle equation, in which are block matrices: the matrix of circuit M, the matrix of inputs F and the matrix of feed F0. The matrix M contains blocks with the transition matrix P, the classification matrix C, the identity matrix I and the zero matrix 0. The matrix was marked using with discrete forms of the selection and breakage functions, mean while the matrices of classification - using the equation, describing classification of grains in the grinding chamber of mill. In paper was discussed this model in details (part 2.1). The correctness of received form of the selection and breakage functions was confirmed. The method determination of the transition matrix for fluidized-jet grinding of grains (part 2.2) and the classification matrix for gravitational and centrifugal zones of grains (part 2.3) are presented. The verification of model obtained on basis results with experimental investigations, which were performed on a laboratory fluidized bed opposed jet mill. The experiment contained grinding of selected narrow size fractions of limestone in turbulent fluidized layer conditions, what in part I and part II of article (Zbroński, Górecka-Zbrońska 2007a, b) are presented. The parameters of parametric identification were: factor of proportionality - contained in the equation on the discrete form of selection function and sizes of limiting grains - contained in equation on the diagonal elements of classification matrix for stage of gravitational and centrifugal (part 3). The classic Fisher-Snedecor test was applied for estimation of prediction particle size distribution of grinding product (part 4). The significant divergences between numerical and experimental results of particle size distribution weren't affirmed. The experimental verification, parametric identification and statistical estimation of the proposed model showed that this model make it possible to forecasting particle size distribution of grinding product.

The article deals with studying the hydrodynamic characteristics of the fluidized bed in gravitation shelf dryers. The algorithm to calculate hydrodynamic characteristics of the fluidized bed in the dryer’s workspace is described. Every block of the algorithm has a primary hydrodynamic characteristics theoretical model of calculation. Principles of disperse phase motion in various areas in the gravitation shelf dryer are established. The software realization of the author’s mathematic model to calculate disperse phase motion trajectory in a free and constrained regime, disperse phase residence time in the dryers’ workspace, polydisperse systems classification is proposed in the study. Calculations of disperse phase motion hydrodynamic characteristics using the software product ANSYS CFX, based on the author’s mathematic model, are presented in the article. The software product enables automating calculation simultaneously by several optimization criteria and visualizing calculation results in the form of 3D images. The disperse phase flow velocity fields are obtained; principles of a wide fraction of the disperse phase distribution in the workspace of the shelf dryer are fixed. The way to define disperse phase residence time91 in the workspace of the shelf dryer in free (without consideration of cooperation with other particles and dryer’s elements) and con-strained motion regimes is proposed in the research. The calculation results make a base for the optimal choice of the gravitation shelf dryer working chamber sizes.

The subject matter of the article comprises cement-bentonite-water hardening slurries with an addition of fluidized-bed fly-ash resulting from the combustion of hard and brown coal. The main objective of the study was to determine the filtration resistance of hardening slurries in the context of long-term exposure to the filtration of an aggressive substance in relation to a cement binder. A nitric acid aqueous solution with a concentration of 0.5 M was used, which modelled acid aggressiveness. The authors studied the hydraulic conductivity of the slurries as a function of time (18 months) for the exposure to a 0.5 M solution of nitric acid. Changes in the phase composition and hardening slurry surface structures were analysed in terms of their filtration resistance to the action of acid aggressiveness. The comparative base were samples subjected to filtration in tap water (neutral environment). The article reviews a methodology for studying hydraulic conductivity (k10) of hardening slurries. It also presents a study involving the phase composition using the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) method, infrared (IR) spectroscopy and showing an image of the hardening slurry surface structure. The findings of other researchers that the application of fluidized-bed fly-ash additives positively impacted improving the resistance of the cement matrix to acid aggressiveness were confirmed. The hydrated colloidal compounds, identified within the subsurface zone of the slurry, which has been in contact with an acidic environment, provide extra sealing of the material structure, thus significantly limiting the access of aggressive substance to the interior of the slurry.

The currently applicable legal provisions and also the economic concepts emphasize the importance of circular economy. In this aspect, it is very important to reduce the waste production respectively planning and running a business. Technical research is the key to finding a new applications for waste, in particular disposed on landfilling. Mining and energy industries belong to the biggest producers of waste in Poland. The total share of these two branches in waste production is up to 70% (mining and quarrying 53%; electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supplay 17%). In environment, economy and social aspect, it is very important to develop this waste. The paper presents research on the physico-mechanical properties of the aggregates based on colliery shale supplemented by fly ash (20% - 40% supplement of fly ash). The following tests should be mentioned among performed: particle size distribution, the sand equivalent test, freeze resistance and direct shear tests. Also the chemical properties found in the literature was invoked. The research shows good physico-mechanical properties of the mixes, such as cohesion (44.62 kPa - 68.57 kPa) or internal firiction angle (34.74° - 40.52°). Though low resistance to weathering and a large susceptibility to frost heave (the mass loss after the freezing cycles is 76%) may limit its applicatin in road engineering. The sand equivalent tests were made only for aggregates. Tested materials shows usefulness for earthen structures. However, the research should be supplemented by chemical tests and also observations of the material properties changes as the effect of time. The research on the leachability of chemical pollutants, which will determine the acceptable share of ash in the mix, could be especially significant. The fact that fly ash contains a lot of sulphates and chlorides, which leach into the environment may pose a threat to living organisms.

The interrelation between fuzzy logic and cluster renewal approaches for heat transfer modeling in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) has been established based on a local furnace data. The furnace data have been measured in a 1296 t/h CFB boiler with low level of flue gas recirculation. In the present study, the bed temperature and suspension density were treated as experimental variables along the furnace height. The measured bed temperature and suspension density were varied in the range of 1131–1156 K and 1.93–6.32 kg/m3, respectively. Using the heat transfer coefficient for commercial CFB combustor, two empirical heat transfer correlation were developed in terms of important operating parameters including bed temperature and also suspension density. The fuzzy logic results were found to be in good agreement with the corresponding experimental heat transfer data obtained based on cluster renewal approach. The predicted bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient covered a range of 109–241 W/(m2K) and 111–240 W/(m2), for fuzzy logic and cluster renewal approach respectively. The divergence in calculated heat flux recovery along the furnace height between fuzzy logic and cluster renewal approach did not exceeded ±2%.

This paper focuses on assessment of the effect of flue gas recirculation (FGR) on heat transfer behavior in 1296t/h supercritical coal-fired circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustor. The performance test in supercritical CFB combustor with capacity 966 MWthwas performed with the low level of flue gas recirculation rate 6.9% into furnace chamber, for 80% unit load at the bed pressure of 7.7 kPa and the ratio of secondary air to the primary air SA/PA = 0.33. Heat transfer behavior in a supercritical CFB furnace between the active heat transfer surfaces (membrane wall and superheater) and bed material has been analyzed for Geldart B particle with Sauter mean diameters of 0.219 and 0.246 mm. Bed material used in the heat transfer experiments had particle density of 2700 kg/m3. A mechanistic heat transfer model based on cluster renewal approach was used in this work. A heat transfer analysis of CFB combustion system with detailed consideration of bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient distributions along furnace height is investigated. Heat transfer data for FGR test were compared with the data obtained for representative conditions without recycled flue gases back to the furnace through star-up burners.

Experimental research has been carried out in a supercritical circulating fluidized bed combustor in order to indicate the effect of the bed particle size on bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient. The bed inventory used were 0.219, 0.246 and 0.411 mm Sauter mean particles diameter. The operating parameters of a circulating fluidized bed combustor covered a range from 3.13 to 5.11 m/s for superficial gas velocity, 23.7 to 26.2 kg/(m2s) for the circulation rate of solids, 0.33 for the secondary air fraction and 7500 to 8440 Pa pressure drop. Furthermore, the bed temperature, suspension density and the main parameters of cluster renewal approach were treated as experimental variables along the furnace height. The cluster renewal approach was used in order to predict the bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient. A simple semi-empirical method was proposed to estimate the overall heat transfer coefficient inside the furnace as a function of particle size and suspension density. The computationally obtained results were compared with the experimental data of this work.

The phase composition of the cement paste phase of concrete containing fly ash from circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) was studied. The motivation was to broaden the knowledge concerning the microstructure and the durability of concrete containing new by-products from the power industry. Several air-entrained concrete mixes were designed with constant water to binder ratio and with substitution of a part of the cement by CFBC fly ash (20%, 30% or 40% by weight). X-ray diffraction tests and thermal analysis (DTG, DTA and TG) were performed on cement paste specimens taken from concrete either stored in water at 18° C or subjected to aggressive freeze-thaw cyclic action. The evaluation of the phase composition as a function of CFBC fly ash content revealed significant changes in portlandite content and only slight changes in the content of ettringite. The cyclic freeze-thaw exposure did not have any significant influence on the phase composition of concrete with and without the CFBC fly ash.

The objective of this investigation was comparing the penetration of chloride ions in ordinary and air-entrained concretes containing a waste material Fluidized Bed Combustion Fly Ash (FBCFA). All concretes were tested with 15% and 30% cement replacement by FBCFA, with the same water-binder ratio of 0.45. Two kinds of fly ash coming from fluid bed combustion in two power plants in Poland have been used.

In this study the rapid chloride permeability test – Nordtest Method BUILD 492 method – was used. The microstructure of the concrete was analyzed on thin polished sections and the measurement of air voids sizes and their distribution, using digital image analysis, was carried on according to PN-EN 480-11:2008.

Obtained results have shown a significant influence of partial cement replacement by FBCFA on the chloride ions movements in concrete. It has been found that this kind of addition reduced considerably the chloride ion penetration. The influence of air entrainment on the chloride diffusion coefficients was also measured and it was shown that application of air-entraining admixture for concretes with FBCFA reduce the chloride diffusion coefficient but it should be used with caution.

Combustion technology of the coal-water suspension creates a number of new possibilities to organize the combustion process fulfilling contemporary requirements, e.g. in the environment protection. Therefore the in-depth analysis is necessary to examine the technical application of coal as a fuel in the form of suspension. The research undertakes the complex investigations of the continuous coal-water suspension as well as cyclic combustion. The cyclic nature of fuel combustion results from the movement of the loose material in the flow contour of the circulating fluidized bed (CFB): combustion chamber, cyclone and downcomer. The experimental results proved that the cyclic change of oxygen concentration around fuel, led to the vital change of both combustion mechanisms and combustion kinetics. The mathematical model of the process of fuel combustion has been presented. Its original concept is based on the allowance for cyclic changes of concentrations of oxygen around the fuel. It enables the prognosis for change of the surface and the centre temperatures as well as mass loss of the fuel during combustion in air, in the fluidized bed and during the cyclic combustion.