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Fixed Bed Combustor Design

A fixed bed combustor is a simple design for burning solid fuels, consisting of a stationary fuel bed on a grate that allows air supply for combustion. The combustion process occurs in distinct zones: drying, pyrolysis, reduction, oxidation, gas burnout, and ash discharge, each playing a crucial role in fuel conversion and heat release. The design ensures efficient combustion and effective ash collection through a structured flow of primary and secondary air.

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505 views2 pages

Fixed Bed Combustor Design

A fixed bed combustor is a simple design for burning solid fuels, consisting of a stationary fuel bed on a grate that allows air supply for combustion. The combustion process occurs in distinct zones: drying, pyrolysis, reduction, oxidation, gas burnout, and ash discharge, each playing a crucial role in fuel conversion and heat release. The design ensures efficient combustion and effective ash collection through a structured flow of primary and secondary air.

Uploaded by

taha.noorani.14
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Fixed Bed Combustor Design

A fixed bed combustor is one of the simplest designs for burning solid fuels like coal,
biomass, or wood.

●​ Fuel Bed: The solid fuel (usually in lumps or sized pieces) is placed in a stationary
(fixed) layer, or "bed," on top of a grate.
●​ Grate: This is a mesh or perforated surface at the bottom of the combustion chamber
that supports the fuel. It allows the primary combustion air to flow up into the fuel bed
and lets the ash fall through.
●​ Air Supply: Combustion air is supplied in two main ways:
○​ Primary Air (Underfire Air): Blown from below the grate, passing up through
the fuel bed. This air supplies the oxygen for the initial burning and
gasification of the fuel.
○​ Secondary Air (Overfire Air): Introduced from above the fuel bed to
complete the burning of gases released from the fuel.
●​ Combustion Chamber: This is the main enclosure where the fuel burns and the
heat is released, usually with heat exchangers (like boiler tubes) to absorb the heat.
●​ Ash Collection: Ash, the incombustible residue, falls through the grate and is
collected in an ash pit below.

Step-by-Step Operation

The combustion process in a fixed bed system occurs in a series of zones or steps as
the air flows up through the fuel bed:

1. Drying Zone
●​ Action: The incoming solid fuel is heated by the hot gases and radiation from the
zones below and above.
●​ Result: Any moisture in the fuel evaporates.

2. Pyrolysis/Devolatilization Zone

●​ Action: As the fuel continues to heat up (typically to ), the volatile


components (gases and liquids) start to be released from the solid structure.
●​ Result: The remaining solid material, called char (mostly fixed carbon), is left
behind. The volatile gases rise and mix with secondary air for burning.

3. Reduction Zone (Gasification)

●​ Action: In this layer, a small amount of oxygen from the primary air reacts with the
hot char and carbon in the fuel, but the oxygen is often quickly consumed.
●​ Result: The primary reactions in this zone produce carbon monoxide ( ),
hydrogen ( ), and other combustible gases from the char ( ) and steam/carbon
dioxide ( ).

4. Oxidation/Combustion Zone

●​ Action: This is the hottest layer. The remaining char reacts directly with the primary
air's oxygen. The high heat from this zone drives the processes in the layers above.
●​ Result: Carbon is converted to carbon dioxide ( ). Heat is released to the boiler.

5. Gas Burnout

●​ Action: The volatile gases from the pyrolysis zone and the from the reduction
zone rise above the fuel bed and mix with the secondary air.
●​ Result: These gases burn completely, releasing the rest of the heat and ensuring
efficient, clean combustion.

6. Ash Discharge

●​ Action: Once the fuel is fully burned (oxidized), the remaining non-combustible
material (ash) falls through the grate into the collection pit for removal.

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