This Technology in Industry Fellowship (TIF) funded Masters Project was structured around Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling for Lemar Environmental Ltd (Lemar). This study is a component of a larger programme that is being undertaken by Lemar concerning the vitrification process. The modelling has built on an initial model developed by CSIRO for Lemar and has been carried out under the direction of Canterbury University. The modelling involved computer simulations and detailed comparisons of the gas flow for both high and low swirl vanes, in both the steady state and transient modes. The output of this activity; velocity profiles (tangential and axial), vorticity, as well as particle tracking (in steady state mode only) were compared to literature and evaluated for both scenarios. As the study was restricted to the gas flow in transient mode, no recommendations and extrapolated modifications to the burner geometry and plant equipment can be made as they have to be verified by the particle motion within the gas flow. The steady state particle simulations obtained through this project, did not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that particles attach to the outer wall and only demonstrated the influences that the high and low swirl had on the particles. Further investigations of transient particle tracking would provide an overall interpretation as to whether or not the dried sludge particles bounced or stuck to the viscous slag layer and a commentary as to their movement in the chamber. Lemar's strategic vitrification programme is still active and the resulting redesign process is nearing completion and modifications to the plant are expected to be finalised by January 2008. Following extensive testing by Lemar it is understood that they would be looking to seek venture capital in order to progress the project to the market. In order for the final stage of the sewage sludge vitrification plant project to commence, Lemar has been in consultation with subject matter experts in the field, as well as undertaking trials on the plant, computer modelling and research into both the technical and international marketing prospects for the combustion technology. The detailed analysis and research undertaken through the CFD modelling conducted for this Project, recommends that Lemar conducts further CFD modelling to investigate transient particle tracking before any plant or geometry modifications are proposed and undertaken in order to optimise the ash capture which is a key output of the vitrification process.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:canterbury.ac.nz/oai:ir.canterbury.ac.nz:10092/1717 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Walker, David Howey |
| Publisher | University of Canterbury. Chemical and Process Engineering |
| Source Sets | University of Canterbury |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic thesis or dissertation, Text |
| Rights | Copyright David Howey Walker, http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/thesis/etheses_copyright.shtml |
| Relation | NZCU |
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