Modeling and simulation of petroleum coke calcination in rotary kilns

A one-dimensional mathematical model was developed for the simulation of petroleum coke calcination in rotary kilns. The model is comprised of 14 ordinary differential equations derived from mass and energy conservation principles. The system of equations is solved by a fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. The model predicts, in the axial direction, temperature profiles for the bed of particles, the gas phase and the kiln internal wall. It also predicts the composition profiles for the gas and solid phases. The modeling of the axial flow of the bed includes the rheological characteristics of the particulate system. The results from the simulation of the calcination systems presented better agreement with measured industrial data than other simulation results available in the literature.