Gas/Particle Residence Time Correlation for an Entrained-Flow Reactor

Particle residence times for an entrained flow reactor for pulverized coal-gasification were calculated using a readily available computer code that is suitable for simulating turbulent reacting gas flows with a dispersed reacting particle phase. The calculated particle residence times were then correlated with gas-flow and particle parameters which could be readily measured or calculated, e.g. the gas residence time calculated using plug-flow assumption and the inlet geometry of the reactor. The present correlation gives a reasonable (with a ±25% confidence level over a wide range of operating conditions) estimate of the particle residence times in the reactor without the need to perform further computer simulations. The particle residence times thus calculated can be used to estimate coal reaction rate parameters from measured experimental conversions.