Influence of division cone angles between the fuel-rich and the fuel-lean ducts on gas–particle flow and combustion near swirl burners

Radial bias combustion pulverized coal swirl burners are used in boilers when burning low-grade coals, which are often low-volatility anthracite and lean coals that do not burn stably. In a gas–particle test facility, a three-dimensional particle-dynamics anemometer was used to measure gas–particle flows in the near-burner region. Division cones between the fuel-rich and the fuel-lean ducts of the burner were set at angles of 43.2° and 0°. Velocity and particle volume flux profiles were obtained and the influence of the cones on combustion was analyzed. Burners with a division cone angle of 43.2° were used in a lean-coal fired boiler (volatility 13.2% as received, ash 27.46% as received), rated at 670 t/h. Pulverized coal was conveyed by cold moisture-laden exhaust air from the pulverizer. In situ aerodynamic field measurements in cold state were made and combustion tests were carried out. Low NOx emission and high thermal efficiency resulted and the turn-down ratio was 50%.