In a joint project, Dr. Victor Zakkay of New York University (NYU), and Drs. V. Krishna Sastri and A.K. Kolar of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) plan to extend their studies on Pressurized Fluid Bed Combustion (PFBC). The studies will focus on the fundamental areas of concern to PFBC including: parametric studies on vertical heat exchangers; bubble dynamics with immersed horizontal and vertical heat exchangers; and combustion and emission characteristics of high moisture lignite, high ash coal and high sulpher coal. Tests will be conducted at a recently completed facility for PFBC at the IITM which has a combustor of 30 cm diameter, and is capable of operating up to 15 atmospheric pressure. Scope: This project extends for two years the support provided earlier by NSF to the U.S. and Indian scientists for studies aimed at understanding the parameters affecting the behavior of PFBC and the usefulness of this method of coal combustion. The facility at IITM and the Indian staff provide excellent opportunity for extending and broadening the investigations being conducted in the U.S. and other countries in this field. The importance of PFBC is well recognized in both countries as well as by other countries with low quality coal. The project has the backing of the Government of India as well as major coal users in that country. Funding: The project is funded under two grants: INT 9106224 to the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. INT 9012682 to New York University.
