Influence of bottom boundary conditions for temperature on the heat distribution within oxidising 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. It is demonstrated that some global heap characteristics (e.g., the total heat content) essentially depend on boundary conditions and corresponding temperature distributions within the heap, whereas other global characteristics (e.g., the overall oxidation rate) are not affected significantly. Practical recommendations on selection of boundary conditions are presented.