Numerical study of an industrial burner to optimise NOx emissions and to evaluate the feasibility of hydrogen-enriched fuel

Nitrogen oxides (NOx), classified as an indirect greenhouse gas (GHG), are increasing in demand for reduction as emission regulations are expanded not only in internal combustion engines but also throughout the industry. Nitrogen atoms are dissociated at relatively low temperature and can be easily converted to NOx by radicals and intermediates, so the reaction pathway is complex and changes in a short time. Therefore, numerical analysis methods should be used to simulate combustion phenomena and analyze chemical reactions, emphasizing the importance of the reaction mechanism, which includes reaction constants and reaction pathways. In this study, the laminar premixed flame was simulated using a numerical analysis method, and the NOx formation characteristics were identified according to the analysis variables using a reaction mechanism. The study was carried out using GRI 3.0, Okafor, and Konnov 0.5, which includes the combustion reaction of methane, as the variables used were equivalence ratio and inlet temperature. As a result, it was confirmed that Konnov 0.5 generates less NOx compared to GRI 3.0 and Okafor. Upon analyzing the reaction contribution, it became apparent that the hydrocarbon chain and chain‐branching reaction and the third‐body efficiency coefficient contribute to Konnov 0.5’s NOx generation. The results in one and two dimensions showed similar trends. It is expected that similar results will be obtained for higher‐dimensional systems with complex physical phenomena.

show abstract

The Impact of Hydrogen on Flame Characteristics and Pollutant Emissions in Natural Gas Industrial Combustion Systems

Lan,

Wang,

et al. 2024

Energies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To improve energy savings and emission reduction in industrial heating furnaces, this study investigated the impact of various molar fractions of hydrogen on natural gas combustion and compared the results of the Non-Premixed Combustion Model with the Eddy Dissipation Combustion Model. Initially, natural gas combustion in an industrial heating furnace was investigated experimentally, and these results were used as boundary conditions for CFD simulations. The diffusion flame and combustion characteristics of natural gas were simulated using both the non-premixed combustion model and the Eddy Dissipation Combustion Model. The results indicated that the Non-Premixed Combustion Model provided simulations more consistent with experimental data, within acceptable error margins, thus validating the accuracy of the numerical simulations. Additionally, to analyze the impact of hydrogen doping on the performance of an industrial gas heater, four gas mixtures with varying hydrogen contents (15% H2, 30% H2, 45% H2, and 60% H2) were studied while maintaining constant fuel inlet temperature and flow rate. The results demonstrate that the Non-Premixed Combustion Model more accurately simulates complex flue gas flow and chemical reactions during combustion. Moreover, hydrogen-doped natural gas significantly reduces CO and CO2 emissions compared to pure natural gas combustion. Specifically, at 60% hydrogen content, CO and CO2 levels decrease by 70% and 37.5%, respectively, while NO emissions increase proportionally; at this hydrogen content, NO concentration in the furnace chamber rises by 155%.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Numerical study of an industrial burner to optimise NOx emissions and to evaluate the feasibility of hydrogen-enriched fuel

Cited by 3 publications

References 34 publications

Numerical studies of a water-cooled premixed burner for low NOx combustion of natural gas

Numerical studies of a water-cooled premixed burner for low NOx combustion of natural gas

Comparative Study of Key Reactions Affecting Nitrogen Oxide Formation in Methane Laminar Premixed Flame

The Impact of Hydrogen on Flame Characteristics and Pollutant Emissions in Natural Gas Industrial Combustion Systems

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About