Mathematical simulation of ignition of a coal-dust suspension in air by a low-temperature plasma jet

The process of aerosuspension ignition of a suspension in air in a pulverized-coal burner with a preswitched muffle by a central axisymmetric air stream heated in an electric-arc plasmatron to a temperature of about $\approx$5000K is numerically simulated. This process is the basis of a new fuel-oil-free method of ignition of the boilers of thermal power stations. The method is rather promising from the viewpoint of both economy and ecology. The goal of numerical simulation is to study the process of ignition of coal particles in the flow and to identify the conditions necessary for the transition to self-sustained burning of a coal-dust mixture. The results obtained revealed the significant role of radiative heat transfer in initializing the burning process of solid fuel particles.