Abstract |
The paper describes a recently developed approach for using a tunable pulse combustor (PC) to improve the performance of energy intensive industrial processes (e.g., drying, calcining, and incineration) by retrofitting the process with a tunable PC that is operated at a frequency that excites large amplitude resonant pulsations within the process. These pulsations increase the rates of mass, momentum, and heat transfer, which generally increase the productivity and thermal efficiency of energy intensive processes and reduce pollutant emissions from incinerators. The paper presents results showing that recently developed PCs can excite large amplitude beneficial pulsations within small-scale simulations of industrial scale processes. It shows that resonant pulsations increase the productivity and thermal efficiency of water evaporation, and significantly increase the rate of limestone calcination. It discusses results obtained in tests with an EPA rotary kiln incinerator simulator that was retrofitted with a tunable PC. |