A Study on the Performance of a New-Type Swirl-Stabilized Combustor for Enhancing Boiler Low-Load Stable Combustion Capability — Oak Academic Publishing
Research ArticleOpen AccessGoogle Scholar indexed
A Study on the Performance of a New-Type Swirl-Stabilized Combustor for Enhancing Boiler Low-Load Stable Combustion Capability
Production Management Department, Datang Heilongjiang Power Generation Co., Ltd., Harbin, China
1 Production Management Department, Datang Heilongjiang Power Generation Co., Ltd., Harbin, China
This study experimentally investigates the gas-particle two-phase flow characteristics of an old-model burner (OMB) and a new-type swirl-stabilized combustor (NTSTC) designed for a 350 MW opposed-fired coal boiler. Using a particle dynamic anemometry (PDA) system, the three-dimensional velocity field, turbulence intensity, and particle volume flux at the burner outlet were measured at nominal load cases spanning 20% - 100%. The results show that the NTSTC forms a distinct central recirculation zone (RZ) in the near-nozzle region ( x / d = 0.1 - 0.5), where the axial velocity exhibits a bimodal distribution and the radial velocity indicates centripetal particle movement near r / d ≈ 0.2. These characteristics persist at low loads and promote particle residence and central accumulation. Compared with the OMB, the NTSTC exhibits higher turbulence intensity within central RZ and stronger gas-particle mixing, including 20% load. The particle volume flux results further demonstrate central particle enrichment and particle backflow within the RZ. Overall, the NTSTC provides more favorable near-field gas-particle flow organization and better aerodynamic adaptability to load variation. The present study is limited to cold-flow measurements; combustion efficiency, gas composition, and NO x emissions were not directly evaluated.
KeywordsSwirl-Stabilized CombustorInterstitial AirLow-Load Combustion StabilityGas-Particle Flow PropertiesCentral Recirculation Zone
Zhang, Y.Z., Wu, Q.W., Zhu, Y.F., Kang, X., Hou, B.J. and Zhou, H. (2024) Experimental Study on the Effects of Co-Firing Mode and Air Staging on the Ultra-Low Load Combustion Assisted by Water Electrolysis Gas (HHO) in a Pulverized Coal Furnace. Journal of the Energy Institute , 117, Article 101828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2024.101828
Liu, T., Wang, Y.G., Zou, L., Bai, Y.Y., Shen, T., Wei, Y.W., Li, F.X. and Zhao, Q.X. (2024) Numerical Investigation of Stable Combustion at Ultra-Low Load for a 350 MW Wall Tangentially Fired Pulverized-Coal Boiler: Effect of Burner Adjustments and Methane Co-Firing. Applied Thermal Engineering , 246, Article 122980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.122980
Wei, D.N., An, D., Wang, T., Zhang, H.C., Guo, Y.H. and Sun, B.M. (2023) Influence of Fuel Distribution on Co-Combustion of Sludge and Coal in a 660 MW Tangentially Fired Boiler. Applied Thermal Engineering , 227, Article 120344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.120344
Huang, C.C., Li, Z.Q., Lu, Y., Chen, Z.C., Liu, H.C., Kang, Y.Y. and Wu, W. (2024) Research on a Novel Universal Low-Load Stable Combustion Technology. Energy , 310, Article 133223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.133223
Wang, Q.X., Chen, Z.C., Li, L.K., Zeng, L.Y. and Li, Z.Q. (2020) Achievement in Ultra-Low-Load Combustion Stability for an Anthracite-and Down-Fired Boiler after Applying Novel Swirl Burners: From Laboratory Experiments to Industrial Applications. Energy , 192, Article 116623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116623
Zhang, H.L., Lin, H., Zhou, X., Wang, X.B., Zheng, H.G., Liu, Y. and Tan, H.Z. (2024) CFD Modeling and Industry Application of a Self-Preheating Pulverized Coal Burner of High Coal Concentration and Enhanced Combustion Stability under Ultra-Low Load. Applied Thermal Engineering , 253, Article 123831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.123831
Jin, W., Si, F.Q., Kheirkhah, S., Yu, C., Li, H.Y. and Wang, Y.O. (2023) Numerical Study on the Effects of Primary Air Ratio on Ultra-Low-Load Combustion Characteristics of a 1050 MW Coal-Fired Boiler Considering High-Temperature Corrosion. Applied Thermal Engineering , 221, Article 119811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.119811
Li, Z.Q., Liu, Z., Huang, H.L., Du, H. and Chen, Z.C. (2024) The Effects of Key Parameters on the Gas/Particle Flows Characteristics in the Furnace of a Foster Wheeler Down-Fired Boiler Retrofitted with Novel Low-Load Stable Combustion Technology. Energy , 288, Article 129736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.129736
Wang, Z.Z., Zhang, L., Zhao, Y.Y., Feng, S., Ma, J., Kong, W.W., Shen, B.X. and Sun, R. (2021) Experimental Investigation on the Evolution Characteristics of Anthracite-N and Semi-Coke Reactivity under Various O 2 /H 2 O Pre-Oxidation Atmospheres. Fuel Processing Technology , 216, Article 106725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2021.106725
Wang, Y.Q., Zhou Y.G., Bai, N.M. and Han, J.C. (2020) Experimental Investigation of the Characteristics of Nox Emissions with Multiple Deep Air-Staged Combustion of Lean Coal. Fuel , 280, Article 118416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118416
Hui, J.C., Zhu, S.J., Li, Z.Y., Lin, J.G., Cao, X.Y. and Lyu, Q.G. (2024) Experimental Study on Peak Shaving during Preheating Combustion for Different Coal Ranks: Thermal Modification and Variable Load Operation. Fuel , 373, Article 132324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.132324
Ma, D.F., Zhang, S.Y., He, X., Ding, X., Li, W.F. and Liu, P.Y. (2024) Combustion Stability and NO Emission Characteristics of Three Combustion Modes of Pulverized Coal Boilers under Low or Ultra-Low Loads. Applied Energy , 353, Article 121998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121998
Yuan, Z.H., Chen, Z.C., Wu, X.L., Zhang, N., Bian, L.G., Qiao, Y.Y., Li, J.W. and Li, Z.Q. (2022) An Innovative Low-Nox Combustion Technology for Industrial Pulverized Coal Boiler: Gas-Particle Flow Characteristics with Different Radial-Air-Staged Levels. Energy , 260, Article 125142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125142
Zhao, L.L., Zhou, Q.T. and Zhao, C.S. (2008) Flame Characteristics in a Novel Petal Swirl Burner. Combustion and Flame , 155, 277-288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2008.04.012
Yan, R., Chen, Z.C., Zheng, Y., Yuan, L.X., Zeng, L.Y. and Li, Z.Q. (2021) Influence of Inner and Outer Secondary Air Ratio on Flow and Combustion Characteristics of a Swirl Burner in a 29 MW Pulverized Coal Boiler. Energy , 237, Article 121625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121625
Su, X.Q., Fang, Q.Y., Ma, L., Yao, B., Li, Y., Zhao, X.P., Mao, R. and Yin, C.G. (2023) Improving Combustion and Lowering NO Emissions of an Industrial Coal Swirl Burner by Optimizing Its Nozzle Structure. Applied Thermal Engineering , 218, Article 119340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.119340
Song, M.H., Huang, Q., Niu, F. and Li, S.Q. (2020) Recirculating Structures and Combustion Characteristics in a Reverse-Jet Swirl Pulverized Coal Burner. Fuel , 270, Article 117456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117456
Ti, S.G., Chen, Z.C., Li, Z.Q., Zhang, X.Q., Zhang, H., Zou, G.P., Zeng, L.Y. and Zhu, Q.Y. (2015) Effects of the Outer Secondary Air Cone Length on the Combustion Characteristics and NO X Emissions of the Swirl Burner in a 0.5 MW Pilot-Scale Facility during Air-Staged Combustion. Applied Thermal Engineering , 86, 318-325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.021
Su, X.Q., Jiang, J.L., Ma, C.L., He, Y.C. and Yang, Z.F. (2025) High-Efficiency Combustion and Low-Nitrogen Emission of Coal-Fired Boiler Based on Synergistic Optimization of Swirl Burner Structure and Air-Staged Technology. Fuel , 388, Article 134352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2025.134352
Huang, C.C., Li, Z.Q., Wang, Y.F., Fang, F., Liu, H.C., Chen, Z.C. and Liu, Y.J. (2024) Influence of Secondary Air Blade Angle and Oxygen-Rich Combustion Characteristics of an Improved Babcock Swirl Burner. Applied Thermal Engineering , 241, Article 122383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.122383
Wang, Y.Q. and Zhou, Y.G. (2020) Numerical Optimization of the Influence of Multiple Deep Air-Staged Combustion on the Nox Emission in an Opposed Firing Utility Boiler Using Lean Coal. Fuel , 269, Article 116996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116996
Lee, B.H., Song, J.H. and Kim, R.G. (2010) Simulation of the Influence of the Coal Volatile Matter Content on Fuel NO Emissions in a Drop-Tube Furnace. Energy & Fuels , 24, 4333-4340. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef1003792
Song, W.H., Ouyang, Z.Q., Wang, M.H., Li, S.Y., Liu, J.Z., Yu, Q., Liu, W. and Zhu, Q.Y. (2020) The Combustion and Nox Emission Characteristics of the Ultra-Low Volatile Fuel Using the Novel Pulverized Coal Self-Sustained Preheating Combustion Technology. Fuel , 271, Article 117592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117592
Wang, Q.X., Chen, Z.C., Chen, Q.W., Zeng, L.Y. and Li, Z.Q. (2019) Experimental Investigation of Gas/Particle Two-Phase Flow Characteristics in a Down-Fired Boiler by PDA Measurements. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science , 107, 38-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2019.05.014
Wang, Q.X., Chen, Z.C., Han, H., Tu, Y.J., Liu, G.K., Zeng, L.Y. and Li, Z.Q. (2019) Detailed Gas/Particle Flow Characteristics of an Improved Down-Fired Boiler with Respect to a Critical Factor Affecting Coal Burnout: Vent-Air Inclination Angle. Energy , 182, 570-584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.06.057
Pickett, L.M., Jackson, R.E. and Tree, D.R. (1999) LDA Measurements in a Pulverized Coal Flame at Three Swirl Ratios. Combustion Science and Technology , 143, 79-107. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102209908924194
Zhang, X., Chen, Z.C., Hou, J., Liu, Z., Zeng, L.Y. and Li, Z.Q. (2022) Evaluation of Wide-Range Coal Combustion Performance of a Novel Down-Fired Combustion Technology Based on Gas-Solid Two-Phase Flow Characteristics. Energy , 248, Article 123662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.123662
Ren, F., Li, Z.Q., Chen, Z.C., Xu, Z.X. and Yang, G.H. (2010) Experimental Investigations into Gas/Particle Flows in a Down-Fired Boiler: Influence of the Vent Air Ratio. Energy & Fuels , 24, 1592-1602. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef901243c
Lira, S.H., Torres, M.J., Guerra, S.R. and Zahr, V.J. (2021) Numerical Characterization of the Solid Particle Accumulation in a Turbulent Flow through Curved Pipes by Means of Stokes Numbers. Applied Sciences , 11, Article 7381. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167381
Fan, W.D., Lin, Z.C., Li, Y.Y. and Li, Y. (2010) Effect of Temperature on NO Release during the Combustion of Coals with Different Ranks. Energy & Fuels , 24, 1573-1583. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef901198j