Numerical simulation of circulating fluidization roasting desulfurization of high-sulfur bauxite based on computational particle fluid dynamics method

As a pyrometallurgical process, circulating fluidized bed (CFB) roasting has good potential for application in desulfurization of high-sulfur bauxite. The gas–solid distribution and reaction during CFB roasting of high-sulfur bauxite were simulated using the computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD) method. The effect of primary air flow velocity on particle velocity, particle volume distribution, furnace temperature distribution and pressure distribution were investigated. Under the condition of the same total flow of natural gas, the impact of the number of inlets on the desulfurization efficiency, atmosphere mass fraction distribution and temperature distribution in the furnace was further investigated. • Reveal the characteristic fields inside a high-sulfur bauxite roaster furnace. • Investigate the effect of primary air velocity on the flow and temperature fields. • Investigate the effect of natural gas inlet number on desulfurization efficiency.