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Thesis Summary: Mathematical Modeling of Pulse Combustion and its

Applications to Innovative Thermal Drying Techniques
Wu Zhonghuaa
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering/Engineering Science Program, National University of
Singapore (NUS), Singapore

To cite this Article Zhonghua, Wu(2007) 'Thesis Summary: Mathematical Modeling of Pulse Combustion and its
Applications to Innovative Thermal Drying Techniques', Drying Technology, 25: 5, 941 — 942
To link to this Article: DOI: 10.1080/07373930701372445
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07373930701372445

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 Drying Technology, 25: 941–942, 2007
Copyright # 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 0737-3937 print/1532-2300 online
DOI: 10.1080/07373930701372445
Thesis Summary: Mathematical Modeling of Pulse
Combustion and its Applications to Innovative Thermal
Drying Techniques
Dr. Wu Zhonghua
Department of Mechanical Engineering=Engineering Science Program, National University
of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
Keywords CFD; Combustion oscillation; Dynamic mesh; Flap-
per valve; Flow instabilities; Gas-particle flow; Heat
and mass transfer; Impinging jet; Paper drying; Pulse
combustion; Spray Drying; Spouting, Spout-fluid bed
Downloaded At: 19:56 15 January 2011
SUMMARY
Pulse combustion (PC) is an intermittent (periodic)
combustion process of gaseous, liquid, or solid fuels. Pulse
combustion drying technology utilizes one or multiple
pulse combustors to produce high-temperature and high-
velocity pulsating jets, which can be used for drying wet
materials. Short drying time, high energy efficiency,
improved product quality, and environmentally friendly
operation are noted as the key advantages of this drying
technology. However, due to a lack of understanding of
pulse combustion mechanisms and the fact that pulse com-
bustor design relies on empirical knowledge, industrial
application of pulse combustion in drying is still low.
This work aimed to carry out a comprehensive investi-
gation of the mechanism of pulse combustion and its appli-
cation potential in thermal drying processes. A
computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was developed
and used for parametric studies of a mechanical-valved
pulse combustor to understand the dynamics of the flame
structure, flow chemistry interaction, and the pulsating
flow characteristics. This model uses the dynamic mesh
technology to capture movement of the flapper valve and
hence needs fewer assumptions and parameter specifica-
tions. Numerical results are found to be in broad agree-
ment with experimental observations. Supported by the
numerical model, a small-size pulse combustor was
designed, fabricated, and tested. Its thermal and dynamic
Correspondence: Dr. Wu Zhongua, National University of
Singapore (NUS), Department of Mechanical Engineering and
Engineering Science Program, Singapore, 119260; E-mail:
g0203726@nus.edu.sg
941
parameters were measured to demonstrate the operational
characteristics of such a small pulse combustor.
PC-based impinging jet drying process for paper sheets,
spray drying of suspensions, and spouted bed drying of
particles were also investigated experimentally and numeri-
cally to evaluate drying performance. In PC impingement
to enhanced paper drying, it was found that at a low
impingement height, convection near the stagnation point
is governed by an impinging jet flow, accompanied by a
high paper surface temperature and a fast drying rate,
whereas outside this region, the impinging vortex has the
dominant influence and the drying rate is relatively low.
PC spray drying of an NaCl aqueous solution (10%
mass fraction) was investigated experimentally and numeri-
cally to obtain a detailed understanding of the flow, heat,
and mass transfer phenomenon in the intensive pulsating
flow including evaporating=drying of droplets in the drying
chamber. In PC spray drying process, high drying rates and
short drying times were observed and gas temperature is
the most important parameter governing the drying rate.
Droplet deposits exist near the inlet part and it will be
intensified with a high pulse amplitude.
A new concept of PC spouted-bed drying is proposed.
Gas-particle flow behavior in a cylindrical spouted bed
and a three-dimensional spout-fluid bed of spherical parti-
cles was simulated using the two-fluid modeling approach.
Parametric studies for hydrodynamics were carried out for
different operating conditions and for the special case of a
pulsating spouting jet. It was found that flow instabilities
develop in the spout-fluid bed and the mechanisms leading
to instabilities are discussed based the numerical results.
Bubble formation and motion of the bubbles inside the
spout-fluid bed are described. The drying kinetics of grains
in the spouted bed dryer was also investigated computa-
tionally. The application potential of pulse combustion
exhaust for spouted-bed drying was discussed on the basis
of the numerical results obtained.
 942
It was found that pulse combustion not only accelerates
the drying rates because of increased heat and mass trans-
fer but also allows processing of various types of materials;
e.g., sheets and particles in a dispersed state. This study
contributes to a fundamental understanding of PC as well
as PC-assisted drying processes for the development of
novel dryer designs.
PUBLICATIONS BASED ON THE THESIS
1. Wu, Z.H.; Mujumdar, A.S. Simulation of the hydrodynamics and
drying in a spouted bed dryer. Drying Technology 2007, 25, 1–16.
Downloaded At: 19:56 15 January 2011
ZHONGHUA
2. Wu, Z.H.; Mujumdar, A.S. Pulse combustion dryers. Chemical Indus-
try Digest 2006, May, 58–65.
3. Wu, Z.H.; Mujumdar, A.S. A parametric study of spray drying of a
solution in a pulsating high temperature turbulent flow. Drying
Technology 2006, 24, 751–761.
4. Wu, Z.H.; Mujumdar, A.S. R&D needs and opportunities in pulse
combustion and pulse combustion drying. Drying Technology 2006,
24, 1521–1523.
5. Wu, Z.H.; Mujumdar, A.S. CFD modeling of the gas-particle flow
behavior in spouted beds [Submitted].
6. Wu, Z.H.; Mujumdar, A.S. Model of a mechanically valved pulse
combustor [Submitted].
7. Wu, Z.H.; Mujumdar, A.S. Parametric study of hydrodynamics in a
cylinderical spouted bed with a two-fluid model [Submitted].