These mechanisms of growth and removal need to be understood and modeled. Industry has identified minerals behavior as a major problem area in coal combustion. Work in Thrust Area 2, both in understanding minerals behavior and its impact on key processes like ash deposition, devolatilization, and char burnout, as well as model development, are key to the Center's success. The compatibility of submodels requires considerable cooperation between submodel developers and researchers involved in Thrust Area 5, Comprehensive Code Development. Additionally, collaboration exists with researchers at ABB-CE, Foster Wheeler Development Corporation, Riley Stoker, Shell Development and Texaco.
Relationships also exist with numerous utilities firing coal.
Communication is also maintained with many foreign researchers. Detailed understanding of the effects of coal minerals in char oxidation and devolatilization. Fundamental information on key mineral transformation processes, both physical and chemical. A submodel for fouling and slagging. Integration of a slagging submodel into the 3D comprehensive code.