EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS OF BIMODAL ACOUSTIC AGGLOMERATION

The interaction between fly ash particles (first mode) and sorbent par ticles (second mode) in coal combustion processes is studied under the influence of a low frequency, high intensity acoustic field. The effe ct of bimodal acoustic agglomeration is evaluated in a numerical sensi tivity analysis on parameters such as residence time in the combustion chamber and mass loading of the particle modes. An Acoustic Agglomera tion Simulation Model (AASM) developed by Song at the Pennsylvania Sta te University is used for these numerical studies. Experimental examin ations carried out in a down-fired combustor show evidence of bimodal agglomeration and enhanced particle interaction under the influence of a low frequency (44 Hz), high intensity (160 dB) sound field. The res ults of the experiments are compared to the equivalent numerical studi es and good agreement can be shown between the two sets of data.