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Title: Low NOx combustion of pulverized coal using the radially stratified flame core burner

Conference ·
OSTI ID:504662
; ;  [1]
  1. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (United States)

Results are presented of a theoretical-experimental study aimed at determining the characteristics of pulverizing coal flames produced with the Low NOx Radially Stratified Flame Core (RSFC) Burner. Following earlier studies with this burner in which very low pollutant emissions were attained with natural gas and heavy fuel oil, the present investigation turned to the combustion of pulverized coal. In particular, the fulfillment of the conditions required for staged combustion, i.e., maintenance of a fuel-rich flame core at high temperature and for an extended period of time by the stratification of the flow, have been investigated. The criterion for radial stratification of the flow was theoretically developed from the equations of motion, by balancing the rate of generation of turbulence and the rate of turbulence damping; the latter being due to the combination of steep radial density gradients and swirling flow. A parametric combustion study carried out by burning a high volatile bituminous coal at a thermal input of 1.5 MW has shown that by setting a ratio {alpha}/{beta} = 0.76 at the burner, a stratified flame was created, and the NOx emission was reduced from an uncontrolled range of 700--900 ppm to 217 ppm. Further reduction to 70 ppm was achieved by external air staging. For this latter condition, however, the RSFC burner was operated to produce a well stirred, high temperature, fuel-rich flame with overfire air injected at some distance downstream of the burner. Both flame types were highly stable with 99.5% and 99.3% carbon conversion, respectively.

OSTI ID:
504662
Report Number(s):
CONF-960954-; TRN: IM9733%%77
Resource Relation:
Conference: 13. annual international Pittsburgh coal conference, Pittsburgh, PA (United States), 3-7 Sep 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Thirteenth annual international Pittsburgh coal conference: Proceedings. Volume 1; Chiang, S.H. [ed.]; PB: 786 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English