Fluidized bed combustion heat transfer enhancement

Abstract

A process for enhancing heat transfer between combustion products formed in a fluidized bed combustion (FBC) reactor and the water-containing tubes surrounding the reactor wherein particles of an inert material, e.g., mineral calcium sulfate (gypsum), having a spheroidal shape ranging in size from about 50 to 1000 .mu.m and having a Moh's hardness of between 2.0 and 4.0 are introduced into the reactor in the presence of a solid fuel and an oxygen-containing gas. Introduction of such particles into the FBC reactor increases the particle density within the reactor thereby increasing radiant and convective heat transfer between the circulating bed and the surrounding water cooled walls. The improved process allows more precise control of the operating temperature regime. Erosion of the reactor walls is also substantially reduced.

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