Diesel fuel combustion by spraying in a superheated steam jet

• Published in: Fuel processing technology 2019-09, Vol.192, p.154-169
• Main Authors: Anufriev, I.S., Kopyev, E.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air jets; Appliance industry; Burner; Calorimetric measurements; Carbon monoxide; Composition of combustion products; Computer simulation; Diesel fuel; Diesel fuels; Experimental studies; Flame temperature; Flow velocity; Fuel combustion; Fuel dispersion; Gasification; Heat; Heat generation; Hydrocarbon combustion; Hydrocarbons; Mathematical models; Nitrogen oxides; Product design; Spraying; Steam jets; Superheated steam; Waste utilization
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2019.04.027

This paper experimentally studies the process of liquid hydrocarbon combustion by spraying a jet of superheated steam using diesel fuel as an example. A laboratory burner sample (with a power of up to 20 kW) is used to assess the effect of the operating parameters on the characteristics of the combustion process in the presence of superheated steam: heat generation, the composition of the combustion, products and the flame temperature. The dependences of the main calorific and environmental indicators of the burner on the temperature and flow rates of superheated steam and fuel are found. The maximal completeness of fuel combustion reaches 98.6%. With an increase in the mass fraction of the steam (up to 50%), a decrease in the content of nitrogen oxides is observed. The minimal contents of carbon monoxide are CO = 5 mg/kWh, while the level of nitrogen oxides is maximal but does not exceed 90 mg/kWh, corresponding to class 3 by EN 267. Compared with heated air jet technology, steam gasification technology has significant environmental advantages. The results are in demand for scientific substantiation of energy efficient and environmentally friendly ways of utilising substandard liquid hydrocarbons with heat production, verification of the mathematical model, and numerical simulation of the process. The results can be used for the development of the energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies of liquid hydrocarbon waste utilisation with the production of heat energy. •The characteristics of diesel fuel combustion by spraying with a jet of superheated steam are investigated.•The flame of the burner is blue.•Concentrations of CO and NOx correspond to class 3 by EN 267 with CO indicators 3 times below the standard and NOx indicators 1.5 times lower.•An empirical relationship, which allows determination of steam and fuel flow rate, ensuring minimal CO emissions for a given burner power, was found.•As compared to the combustion technology with a heated air supply, the steam gasification technology allows a 30% reduction in the production of nitrogen oxides at a high degree of combustion completeness.