(699d) Analysis of the Heat Transfer in a Packed Bed Composed of Alumina and Coal Exposed to a High Thermal Radiation Flux

This work investigates
temperature profiles and heat fluxes in a packed bed composed of alumina and
coal particles heated by radiation that simulates solar energy flux with the
purpose of hydrogen production. For this purpose, the discrete element method
(DEM) was used along a heat and mass transfer model. As results of the
simulations, thermal profiles through the hybrid packed bed were obtained, as
well as the accompanying heat flux and hydrogen production. The three chemical
kinetics models tested showed good correlations between each other. It is
concluded that the radiation and chemical kinetics model proposed provides the
basis to continue with the experimental study of granular materials at high
temperature, where radiation is the dominant mechanism.

Key-words: Hybrid packed bed; Coal
gasification; Discrete element method (DEM); Radiation; Heat transfer