Effect of acoustic field on the combustion of coal particles in a flat flame burner

The effects of an acoustic field on the enhancement of coal combustion were investigated. Acoustic field application results in an oscillating flow around the coal particles otherwise entrained in the mean gas flow. The relative velocity between the entrained particles and the gas is very small resulting in low heat and mass transfer to and from the burning particles. However, if the frequency of the applied acoustic field is high enough, the particles are not entrained in the acoustically induced oscillating flow creating a relative velocity between the coal particles and the hot gas thereby increasing the heat and mass transfer (HMT) to and from the particles. The result is the enhancement of the combustion. This study is part of a general research program in which the enhancement of combustion of coal-water slurry fuels in the presence of an acoustic field is being investigated.