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Title: Formation of N/sub 2/O in laminar, premixed, fuel-rich flames

Journal Article · · Combust. Flame; (United States)

Stack gases from power plants burning fossil fuels contain moderate levels of N/sub 2/O, and N/sub 2/O is known to play a role in the chemistry of the upper atmosphere. Studies in laboratory furnaces indicate that in unstaged coal and oil flames, approximately 1 mole of N/sub 2/O is produced for every 3 moles of NO. Staged combustion, which utilizes a fuel-rich combustion zone followed by injection of excess air, reduces both NO and N/sub 2/O emissions. Nitrous oxide also has been found to be a product in the premixed combustion of fuel-lean CO-air mixtures and stoichiometric CH/sub 4/-air mixtures seeded with NH/sub 3/. In order to obtain information on the N/sub 2/O reaction mechanism for conditions simulating the rich zone of staged combustion or reburning, the authors investigated the formation and removal of N/sub 2/O in laminar, atmospheric-pressure, premixed, fuel-rich flames.

Research Organization:
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (US)
OSTI ID:
5110308
Journal Information:
Combust. Flame; (United States), Vol. 70:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English