Numerical simulation on the reaction characteristics of a coal-water slurry particle during entrained-flow gasification process--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Gong, Y., Zhao, B., Zhao, W., Wang, X., Guo, Q., Wang, Y., . . . Yu, G. (2026). Numerical simulation on the reaction characteristics of a coal-water slurry particle during entrained-flow gasification process. Particuology, 108, 68-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2025.11.012

Numerical simulation on the reaction characteristics of a coal-water slurry particle during entrained-flow gasification process

Yan Gong^a *, Bo Zhao^a, Wenjing Zhao^a, Xuning Wang^a, Qinghua Guo^a, Yifei Wang^a, Jin Bai^b, Guangsuo Yu^{a c}

a Institute of Clean Coal Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
b State Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001, China
c State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, China

10.1016/j.partic.2025.11.012

Volume 108, January 2026, Pages 68-82

Received 27 August 2025, Revised 1 November 2025, Accepted 17 November 2025, Available online 26 November 2025, Version of Record 3 December 2025.

E-mail: yangong@ecust.edu.cn

Highlights

• A multi-scale simulation framework for decoupling the CWS particle is established.

• CWS particle model is refined and features differentiated interaction design.

• Key dynamic laws and coupling effects of CWS particle reactions are proposed.

• Influence of H₂O content on the reaction of CWS particle is related to O₂.

• Structure of single particle exerts weaker influence than inter-particle effects.

Abstract

Gasification technology serves as the cornerstone of the modern coal chemical industry. High-temperature particles in entrained-flow gasifiers act as the primary reaction medium, whose reactivity is inherently dependent on particle size, porosity, and local reaction environment. Current experimental investigations on particles within gasifiers predominantly rely on visualization systems, yet face significant challenges in precise particle tracking and quantitative analysis, particularly in diagnosing volatile release processes. This study employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations to develop a multiphase model to isolate single particle behavior from bulk particle group during coupled combustion-gasification process of coal-water slurry (CWS). Discrete coal particle models with varying configurations were developed to compare reaction characteristics between isolated and interacting particles, while analyzing temperature fields and reaction rate distributions across three porosity levels. Verification demonstrated that the implemented models effectively described the reaction characteristics of coal particles. Results reveal strong correlation between the temperature field distribution and the volatile molar fraction in CWS particle, with H2, H₂O, and CO accumulation observed at particle cores. Coupling effects of heat and mass transfer between particles significantly influence reaction rates and thermal profiles, governed by the particle spacing and heat/mass transfer efficiency, whereas the effects of porosity remain relatively minor.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Coal gasification; Numerical simulation; Coal-water slurry particles; Single particle model; Particle reaction characteristics

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