ON MODELLING AND SIMULATION OF AUTO-IGNITION IN PARTICLE-LADEN BIOMASS FLOWS

This study focuses on the safety-critical problem of auto-ignition in particle-laden flows, where biomass particles enter a computational domain, form deposition layers (“cake”), and are susceptible to ignition due to thermal and chemical interactions. Such scenarios are particularly relevant in storage silos, biomass processing plants, and industrial systems, where ignition can lead to deflagration, causing safety hazards and operational disruptions. In previous works we have used the finite volume techniques implemented in the Octave/Matlab environment and have simulated the temporal evolution of solute distribution and solvent velocity in two and three dimensions. The modified equations for a system with moving particles in Lagrangian coordinates have been solved. As a result, we have observed the behaviour of different portions of particles and the appearance of certain layer-type patterns – something of a wide interest in different applications. The modular framework we have created can accommodate custom laws, offering versatility across industrial contexts. To address the current issue, we discuss the applications of particle motion equations with combustion models derived from the Navier-Stokes framework, accounting for heat transfer, species transport, and chemical reactions. The ignition mechanism is characterized by coupling the thermal energy equation with pyrolysis kinetics to simulate volatile release and heat feedback in the system. Critical parameters, such as layer thickness, oxygen concentration, heating rates, and ambient conditions, can be systematically varied to identify ignition thresholds. These findings have a potential of a framework for engineers to design safer biomass storage and processing environments by understanding and controlling the conditions that lead to ignition. This work serves as a foundation for further research on combustion-driven safety in industrial particle-laden systems.