Influence of bottom boundary condition on heat distribution within oxidizing heaps

Abstract

Different types of boundary conditions for temperature (Dirichlet, Neumann, mixed and some others) at the base of a heap comprising oxidizable material are numerically examined for their influence on temperature distribution and overall heat content within the heap. We demonstrate that some global heap characteristics (for example, the total heat content) essentially depend on boundary conditions and corresponding temperature distributions within the heap, whereas other global characteristics (for example, the overall oxidation rate) are not affected significantly. Practical recommendations on selection of boundary conditions are presented.