Abstract: The model and its experimental verification of tri-section rotary regenerator energy transport involving axial heat conduction are presented. Dimensionless governing equations containing integral parameters instead of partial parameters are derived to fit engineering applications. The model consists of six partial differential equations and three flow interfaces, numerical solutions of the model equations are presented with directly measured experimental data on a full scale operating air pre-heater, gas inlet and outlet temperature, flow rate, air leakage and flue gas composition of the rotary regenerator of 13.552 m diameter in a 600 MW boiler are measured either to give model inputs or to compare with the model computed temperature. Good agreement between theory and experiments show that the model can be used to predict the metal and gas temperature distribution in the air pre-heater, which are essential for choosing sealing clearance and air entrance temperature, the former relies on thermoelastic deformation calculation of the radial plate in rotary regenerator, the latter ensures safety operating temperature of the metal.

Key words: Numerical simulation, Regenerative heat transfer, Rotary air preheaters