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Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model

  • Yiwei Wang , Yongjian Xu EMAIL logo , Kangkang Guo and Xuefeng Yin
Published/Copyright: March 19, 2025
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Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal
From the journal Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal Volume 40 Issue 2

Abstract

The application of high-temperature passivation and evaporation crystallization for the black liquor in alkali recovery system has realized that the solids content of black liquor is as high as 70 wt%, even 80 wt%, for atomization combustion in the alkali recovery boiler. Therefore, the increase in the solids content of black liquor has become a development trend and goal of various alkali recovery systems. However, it is difficult to atomize at high solids content, and the resulting large droplets reduce the combustion efficiency of the alkali recovery boiler due to the characteristics of non-wood pulping black liquor such as bamboo pulping black liquor. In this study, we study the atomization performance of bamboo pulping black liquor with high solids content through splash plate nozzle under different injection conditions by means of CFD simulation technology. The four atomization indexes are analyzed in detail including mass flow rate, liquid film thickness, atomization cone angle and droplet size. Finally, a reasonable atomization pattern is given to prepare for subsequent combustion. The results show that the mass flow rate and liquid film thickness decrease but the atomization cone angle and droplet size increase with the increase of injection angle. The liquid film thickness is only related to the injection angle, and the atomization cone angle is not the larger the better. With the injection conditions at 35° and under 150–160 kPa pressure, not only a good atomization cone angle but also the targets of a large flow and small droplet size could be into reality, which effectively improves the ability of alkali recovery of black liquor.

Keywords: black liquor atomization; high solids content; CFD; alkali recovery; droplet size
Corresponding author: Yongjian Xu, College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an, 710021, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an, 710021, China; Key Laboratory of Paper Based Functional Materials, China National Light Industry, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an, 710021, China; and Shaanxi Key Laboratory on Paper Technology and Specialty Papers, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an, 710021, China, E-mail:

Funding source: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 21978161

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the National Natural Science Foundation of China [21978161] and the Shaanxi University of Science & Technology Academic Leader Team Fund Project [2013XSD25].

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: The author(s) have (has) accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The author(s) state(s) no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: The National Natural Science Foundation of China [21978161].

  7. Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.

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Received: 2024-08-30
Accepted: 2025-02-26
Published Online: 2025-03-19
Published in Print: 2025-06-26

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
  6. Paper Technology
  7. Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
  8. Paper Physics
  9. Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
  10. Paper Chemistry
  11. Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
  12. Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
  13. Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
  14. Coating
  15. Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
  16. Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
  17. Printing
  18. Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
  19. Packaging
  20. The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
  21. Environmental Impact
  22. Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
  23. Recycling
  24. Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
  25. A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
  26. Lignin
  27. In-situ construct dynamic bonds between lignin and PBAT by epoxidized soybean oil to improve interfacial compatibility: processing, characterization, and antibacterial activity for food packaging
  28. Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
https://doi.org/10.1515/npprj-2024-0063
Keywords for this article
black liquor atomization; high solids content; CFD; alkali recovery; droplet size

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
  6. Paper Technology
  7. Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
  8. Paper Physics
  9. Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
  10. Paper Chemistry
  11. Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
  12. Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
  13. Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
  14. Coating
  15. Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
  16. Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
  17. Printing
  18. Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
  19. Packaging
  20. The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
  21. Environmental Impact
  22. Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
  23. Recycling
  24. Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
  25. A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
  26. Lignin
  27. In-situ construct dynamic bonds between lignin and PBAT by epoxidized soybean oil to improve interfacial compatibility: processing, characterization, and antibacterial activity for food packaging
  28. Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
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