(54s) Calorimetry and Thermo-Kinetic Modeling to Study Thermal Runaways in Carbon Beds

Understanding potential for spontaneous combustion of a spent carbon bed is key to safe plant operations. Open Cup ARC and TAM tests with gas flowing were done to determine the kinetics of oxidation reaction of the adsorbed material on activated carbon for different oxygen contents. Quantitation of the oxidation heats and heat loss & balance calculations were performed to develop the safe operating discipline for this plant. Computational Fluid Dynamic simulation (Fluent) was also used to understand temperature distribution of the carbon bed in a normal operation and hot spot formation in an abnormal condition.