Modelling combustion process in circulating fluidised bed boiler: A fuzzy graph approach

Abstract

Integration of fuzzy graph and autocatalytic set theory plays an important role in the emergence of a new concept of fuzzy autocatalytic set (FACS). This concept was successfully used to describe the chemical reactions in the clinical waste incineration process. Therefore, this paper aimed to extend the application of FACS in modelling combustion process in circulating fluidised bed boiler (CFB). Fifteen important chemical substances known as species are represented as nodes, V, and its catalytic relationships between nodes are represented by the edges, E, in the graph G F (V, E). The membership value of fuzzy edge connectivity between two nodes in the graph is calculated using material chart balance based on simulated data. The fuzzy graphical model of the combustion process provides more information on the strength of connection of its catalytic relationship between species. Analysis of dynamics in the combustion process gives reasonable and equitable results in terms of sequence of depleting species over time and the end products as compared to the real process. Some characteristics related to the graph dynamics of the combustion process in CFB are also highlighted.