Energy Sources Part A-recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects, Vol.34, No.1-4, 9-18, 2012
A Mesoscale Premixed LPG Burner with Surface Combustion in Porous Ceramic Foam
In the present study, an attempt is made 10 develop an eco-friendly and compact premixed liquified petroleum gas burner based on surface combustion in a porous inert medium. The premixing mechanism is the combination of a swirler and steel wire mesh packing. the preheating and reaction zones are made up of alumina (Al2O3) foams of pore sizes, 26 and 8 ppcm. respectively. Experiments are conducted with 0.5 liters per minute of liquified petroleum gas fuel, which is found to be the minimum quantity required to produce a sustainable flame when mixed with 4 liters per minute of aim; the mixture being highly fuel-rich. The combustion is facilitated by enough secondary (atmospheric) air to ensure complete combustion. the temperature distribution within the combustor; flame stability; maximum flame temperature; NO, CO, and SO2 emissions; and combustion efficiency are measured and compared with those of a conventional domestic liquified petroleum gas stove. The fuel saving potential of the proposed burner is also evaluated. It is found that the proposed burner could yield an 80% savings in fuel consumption and 75% reduction in NOx emissions compared to the conventional one. The CO and SO2 emissions are also well within the global standards.
Keywords:ceramic foam;combustion efficiency;equivalence ratio;NOx and CO emission;premixed combustion;surface combustor