Coupling a CFD code with a solid-phase combustion model (Q979611)

Summary: A one-dimensional and unsteady model for the gasification/combustion of thick wood is developed and coupled with a two-dimensional CFD model for the gaseous phase processes, solved by the commercial code CFX4.4. Simulations of the combustion of single wood logs, as obtained with the coupled solid- and gas-phase models and with a solid-phase model alone, are compared with experimental measurements. Acceptable agreement is obtained in the first case, whereas the solid-phase model alone highly underestimates the conversion time and overestimates the mean mass loss rates. A two-dimensional formulation of the equations for the solid-phase does not affect significantly the global parameters.