NO Emission Behavior in Oxy-fuel Combustion Recirculated with Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

A numerical study is conducted to grasp the flame structure and NO emissions for a wide range of oxy-fuel combustion (covering from air-blown combustion to pure oxygen combustion) and various mole fractions of recirculated CO 2 in a CH 4 −O 2 /N 2 /CO 2 counterflow diffusion flame. Special concern is given to the difference of the flame structure and NO emissions between air-blown combustion and oxy-fuel combustion w/o recirculated CO 2 and is also focused on chemical effects of recirculated CO 2 . Air-blown combustion and oxy-fuel combustion without recirculated CO 2 are shown to be considerably different in the flame structure and NO emissions. Modified fuel oxidation reaction pathways in oxy-fuel combustion are provided in detail compared to those in air-blown combustion without recirculated CO 2 . The formation and destruction of NO through Fenimore and thermal mechanisms are also compared for air-blown combustion and oxy-fuel combustion without recirculated CO 2, and the role of the recirculated CO 2 and its chemical effects are discussed. Importantly contributing reaction steps to the formation and destruction of NO are also estimated in oxy-fuel combustion in comparison to air-blown combustion.