Showing papers on "Combustion published in 2007"

Progress and future challenges in controlling automotive exhaust gas emissions

Abstract: By the early 1970s increased use of cars in some major cities had resulted in serious concerns about urban air quality caused by engine exhaust gas emissions themselves, and by the more harmful species derived from them via photochemical reactions. The three main exhaust gas pollutants are hydrocarbons (including partially oxidised organic compounds), carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Engine modifications alone were not sufficient to control them, and catalytic systems were introduced to do this. This catalytic chemistry involves activation of small pollutant molecules that is achieved particularly effectively over platinum group metal catalysts. Catalytic emissions control was introduced first in the form of platinum-based oxidation catalysts that lowered hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. Reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen was initially done over a platinum/rhodium catalyst prior to oxidation, and subsequently simultaneous conversion of all three pollutants over a single three-way catalyst to harmless products became possible when the composition of the exhaust gas could be maintained close to the stoichiometric point. Today modern cars with three-way catalysts can achieve almost complete removal of all three exhaust pollutants over the life of the vehicle. There is now a high level of interest, especially in Europe, in improved fuel-efficient vehicles with reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and “lean-burn” engines, particularly diesels that can provide better fuel economy. Here oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide is fairly straightforward, but direct reduction of NO x under lean conditions is practically impossible. Two very different approaches are being developed for lean-NO x control; these are NO x -trapping with periodic reductive regeneration, and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with ammonia or hydrocarbon. Good progress has been made in developing these technologies and they are gradually being introduced into production. Because of the nature of the diesel engine combustion process they produce more particulate matter (PM) or soot than gasoline engines, and this gives rise to health concerns. The exhaust temperature of heavy-duty diesels is high enough (250–400 °C) for nitric oxide to be converted to nitrogen dioxide over an upstream platinum catalyst, and this smoothly oxidises retained soot in the filter. The exhaust temperature of passenger car diesels is too low for this to take place all the time, so trapped soot is periodically burnt in oxygen above 550 °C. Here a platinum catalyst is used to oxidise higher than normal amounts of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide upstream of the filter to give sufficient temperature for soot combustion to take place with oxygen. Diesel PM control is discussed in terms of a range of vehicle applications, including very recent results from actual on-road measurements involving a mobile laboratory, and the technical challenges associated with developing ultra-clean diesel-powered cars are discussed.

Combustion processes for carbon capture

Abstract: A review of the technologies for coal-based power generation closest to commercial application involving carbon capture is presented. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) developments are primarily adaptations of conventional combustion systems, with additional unit operations such as bulk oxygen supply, CO2 capture by sorbents, CO2 compression, and storage. They use pulverized coal combustion in entrained flow—the dominant current technology for coal-based power, or gasification in entrained flow, although similar concepts apply to other solid–gas contacting systems such as fluidized beds. Currently, the technologies have similar generation efficiencies and are associated with efficiency penalties and electricity cost increases due to operations required for carbon capture. The R&D challenges identified for the combustion scientist and engineer, with current understanding being detailed, are those of design, optimisation and operational aspects of new combustion and gasification plant, controlling the gas quality required by CCS related units and associated emission compliance, and gas separations. Fundamental research needs include fuel reactions at pressure, and in O2/CO2 atmospheres, as few studies have been made in this area. Laboratory results interpreted and then included in CFD models of combustion operations are necessary. Also identified, but not detailed, are combustion issues in gas turbines for IGCC and IGCC-CCS. Fundamental studies should be a component of pilot-plant and demonstrations at practical scale being planned. Concepts for new designs of combustion equipment are also necessary for the next generation of technologies. The challenges involved with the design and operation of these integrated systems, while supplying electricity on demand, are considerable.

Light Absorption by Organic Carbon From Wood Combustion

Abstract: Abstract. Carbonaceous aerosols affect the radiative balance of the Earth by absorbing and scattering light. While black carbon (BC) is highly absorbing, some organic carbon (OC) also has significant absorption, especially at near-ultraviolet and blue wavelengths. To the extent that OC absorbs visible light, it may be a non-negligible contributor to positive direct aerosol radiative forcing. Quantification of that absorption is necessary so that radiative-transfer models can evaluate the net radiative effect of OC. In this work, we examine absorption by primary OC emitted from solid fuel pyrolysis. We provide absorption spectra of this material, which can be related to the imaginary refractive index. This material has polar character but is not fully water-soluble: more than 92% was extractable by methanol or acetone, compared with 73% for water and 52% for hexane. Water-soluble OC contributes to light absorption at both ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. However, a larger portion of the absorption comes from OC that is extractable only by methanol. Absorption spectra of water-soluble OC are similar to literature reports. We compare spectra for material generated with different wood type, wood size and pyrolysis temperature. Higher wood temperature is the main factor creating OC with higher absorption; changing wood temperature from a devolatilizing state of 210 °C to a near-flaming state of 360 °C causes about a factor of four increase in mass-normalized absorption at visible wavelengths. A clear-sky radiative transfer model suggests that, despite the absorption, both high-temperature and low-temperature OC result in negative top-of-atmosphere radiative forcing over a surface with an albedo of 0.19 and positive radiative forcing over bright surfaces. Unless absorption by real ambient aerosol is higher than that measured here, it probably affects global average clear-sky forcing very little, but could be important in energy balances over bright surfaces.

Ignition and devolatilization of pulverized bituminous coal particles during oxygen/carbon dioxide coal combustion

Abstract: Oxygen/carbon dioxide recycle coal combustion is actively being investigated because of its potential to facilitate CO 2 sequestration and to achieve emission reductions. In the work reported here, the effect of enhanced oxygen levels and CO 2 bath gas is independently analyzed for their influence on single-particle pulverized coal ignition of a U.S. eastern bituminous coal. The experiments show that the presence of CO 2 and a lower O 2 concentration increase the ignition delay time but have no measurable effect on the time required to complete volatile combustion, once initiated. For the ignition process observed in the experiments, the CO 2 results are explained by its higher molar specific heat and the O 2 results are explained by the effect of O 2 concentration on the local mixture reactivity. Particle ignition and devolatilization properties in a mixture of 30% O 2 in CO 2 are very similar to those in air.

Structure of a spatially developing turbulent lean methane–air Bunsen flame

Abstract: Direct numerical simulation of a three-dimensional spatially developing turbulent slot-burner Bunsen flame has been performed with a new reduced methane–air mechanism. The mechanism, derived from sequential application of directed relation graph theory, sensitivity analysis and computational singular perturbation over the GRI-1.2 detailed mechanism is non-stiff and tailored to the lean conditions of the DNS. The simulation is performed for three flow through times, long enough to achieve statistical stationarity. The turbulence parameters have been chosen such that the combustion occurs in the thin reaction zones regime of premixed combustion. The data is analyzed to study possible influences of turbulence on the structure of the preheat and reaction zones. The results show that the mean thickness of the turbulent flame, based on progress variable gradient, is greater than the corresponding laminar flame. The effects of flow straining and flame front curvature on the mean flame thickness are quantified through conditional means of the thickness and by examining the balance equation for the evolution of the flame thickness. Finally, conditional mean reaction rate of key species compared to the laminar reaction rate profiles show that there is no significant perturbation of the heat release layer.

Source characterization of biomass burning particles: The combustion of selected European conifers, African hardwood, savanna grass, and German and Indonesian peat

Abstract: [1] We carried out a detailed size-resolved chemical characterization of particle emissions from the combustion of European conifer species, savanna grass, African hardwood, and German and Indonesian peat. Combustion particles were sampled using two sets of five-stage Berner-type cascade impactors after a buffer volume and a dilution tunnel. We determined the emission factors of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC, 46–6700 mg kg−1, sum of five stages), water-insoluble organic carbon (WISOC, 1300–6100 mg kg−1), (apparent) elemental carbon (ECa, 490–1800 mg kg−1), inorganic ions (68–400 mg kg−1), n-alkanes (0.38–910 mg kg−1), n-alkenes (0.45–180 mg kg−1), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (1.4–28 mg kg−1), oxy-PAHs (0.08-1.0 mg kg−1), lignin decomposition products (59–620 mg kg−1), nitrophenols (1.4–31 mg kg−1), resin acids (0–110 mg kg−1), and cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition products (540–5900 mg kg−1). The combustion and particle emission characteristics of both of peat were significantly different from those of the other biofuels. Peat burning yielded significantly higher emission factors of total fine particles in comparison to the other biofuels. Very high emission factors of n-alkanes and n-alkenes were observed from peat combustion, which may be connected to the concurrently observed “missing” CCN in peat smoke. A high level of monosaccharide anhydrides, especially levoglucosan, was detected from all types of biofuel combustion. The fractions of monosaccharide anhydrides in the emitted total carbon were higher in smaller particles (aerodynamic diameter, Dpa < 0.42 μm).

Solution combustion synthesis of nanomaterials

Abstract: Solution combustion (SC) is an effective method for synthesis of nano-size materials and it has been used for the production of a variety (currently more than 1000) of fine complex oxide powders for different advanced applications, including catalysts, fuel cells, and biotechnology. However, it is surprising that while essentially all of the studies on SC emphasize the characterization of the synthesized materials, little information is available on controlling combustion parameters and the reaction mechanisms. This paper is devoted to the analysis of the combustion parameters for different SC reaction modes. First, the conventional volume combustion synthesis mode, which involves uniform reaction solution preheating prior to self-ignition, is briefly discussed. Second, for the first time, results of detailed experimental studies on steady-state self-propagating mode of SC synthesis of nano-powders are presented. Finally, the so-called solution + impregnation combustion mode is considered. The relationship between combustion parameters and product microstructures are emphasized. These results are crucial not only from the application stand-point, but more importantly lead to methodological benefits, allowing application of the developed approaches to investigate steady state heterogeneous combustion waves in new classes of reaction systems.

Advanced gasoline engine development using optical diagnostics and numerical modeling

Abstract: Twenty years ago, homogeneous-charge spark-ignition gasoline engines (using carburetion, throttle-body-, or port-fuel-injection) were the dominant automotive engines. Advanced automotive engine development remained largely empirical, and stratified-charge direct-injection gasoline-engine production was blocked by lack of robustness in its combustion process [W.G. Agnew, Proc. Combust. Inst. 20 (1984) 1–17]. Today, a wide range of direct-injection gasoline engines are in (or near) production, and combustion science is playing a direct role in advanced gasoline-engine development through the simultaneous application of advanced optical diagnostics, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, and traditional combustion diagnostics. This paper discusses the use of optical diagnostics and CFD in five gasoline-engine combustion systems: homogeneous spark-ignition port-fuel-injection (PFI), homogeneous spark-ignition direct-injection (DI), stratified wall-guided spark-ignition direct-injection (WG-SIDI), stratified spray-guided spark-ignition direct-injection (SG-SIDI), and homogeneous-charge compression-ignition (HCCI). The emphasis is on WG-SIDI, SG-SIDI, and HCCI engines. Key in-cylinder physical processes (e.g., sprays and vaporization, turbulent fuel–air mixing, wall wetting, ignition and early flame development, turbulent partially premixed flame propagation, and emissions formation) can be visualized, quantified, and optimized through optical engine experiments and CFD-based engine modeling. Outstanding issues for stratified engines include reducing piston wall-wetting, pool fires and smoke in WG-SIDI engines, eliminating intermittent misfires in SG-SIDI engines, and optimizing lean NOx after-treatment systems. HCCI engines require better control of combustion timing and heat-release rate over wide speed/load operating ranges, smooth transitions between operating modes, and individual cylinder sensors and controls. Future directions in optical diagnostics and modeling are suggested to improve our fundamental understanding of important in-cylinder processes and to enhance CFD modeling capabilities.

Large-eddy simulation and experimental study of heat transfer, nitric oxide emissions and combustion instability in a swirled turbulent high-pressure burner

Abstract: Nitric oxide formation in gas turbine combustion depends on four key factors: flame stabilization, heat transfer, fuel–air mixing and combustion instability. The design of modern gas turbine burners requires delicate compromises between fuel efficiency, emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and combustion stability. Burner designs allowing substantial NOx reduction are often prone to combustion oscillations. These oscillations also change the NOx fields. Being able to predict not only the main species field in a burner but also the pollutant and the oscillation levels is now a major challenge for combustion modelling. This must include a realistic treatment of unsteady acoustic phenomena (which create instabilities) and also of heat transfer mechanisms (convection and radiation) which control NOx generation.In this work, large-eddy simulation (LES) is applied to a realistic gas turbine combustion chamber configuration where pure methane is injected through multiple holes in a cone-shaped burner. In addition to a non-reactive simulation, this article presents three reactive simulations and compares them to experimental results. The first reactive simulation neglects effects of cooling air on flame stabilization and heat losses by radiation and convection. The second reactive simulation shows how cooling air and heat transfer affect nitric oxide emissions. Finally, the third reactive simulation shows the effects of combustion instability on nitric oxide emissions. Additionally, the combustion instability is analysed in detail, including the evaluation of the terms in the acoustic energy equation and the identification of the mechanism driving the oscillation.Results confirm that LES of gas turbine combustion requires not only an accurate chemical scheme and realistic heat transfer models but also a proper description of the acoustics in order to predict nitric oxide emissions and pressure oscillation levels simultaneously.

Reduction Kinetics of Cu-, Ni-, and Fe-Based Oxygen Carriers Using Syngas (CO + H2) for Chemical-Looping Combustion

Abstract: The reactivity of three Cu-, Fe-, and Ni-based oxygen carriers to be used in a chemical-looping combustion (CLC) system using syngas as fuel has been analyzed The oxygen carriers exhibited high reactivity during reduction with fuel gases present in syngas (H2 and CO), with average values in the range 8−30% min-1 No effect of the gas products (H2O, CO2) on the reduction reaction rate was detected The kinetic parameters of reaction with H2 and CO have been determined by thermogravimetric analysis The grain model with spherical or platelike geometry in the grain was used for the kinetic determination, in which the chemical reaction controlled the global reaction rate The activation energies determined for these reactions were low, with values ranging from 14 to 33 kJ mol-1 The reaction order depended on the reacting gas, and values from 05 to 1 were found Moreover, the reactivity of the oxygen carriers when both H2 and CO are simultaneously present in the reacting gases has been analyzed, both at atm

Towards large eddy simulation of combustion in spark ignition engines

Abstract: Internal combustion engine simulations are commonly performed using the RANS (Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes) approach. It gives a correct estimates of global quantities but is by nature not adapted to describe phenomena strongly linked to cyclic variations. On the other hand, large eddy simulation (LES) is a promising technique to determine successive engine cycles. This work demonstrates the feasibility of LES engine cycles simulation by using a flame surface density (FSD) approach. This approach, presented in a first section, combines an Eulerian spark ignition model derived from the RANS AKTIM model [J.M. Duclos, O. Colin, Arc and Kernel Tracking Ignition Model for 3D SI Engines Calculations, Comodia, Nagoya, Japan, 2001, pp. 343–350] and a Coherent Flame Model (CFM) [S. Candel, T. Poinsot, Combust. Sci. Tech. 70 (1990) 1–15; O. Colin, A. Benkenida, C. Angelberger , Oil & Gas Sci. Techn.—Rev. IFP 58 (1) (2003) 47–32] describing the flame propagation. The CFM model, commonly used in RANS simulations, is here formulated in a LES context. In a second part, the whole ignition-combustion model is validated against an experiment relative to the turbulent ignition and flame propagation of a stoichiometric propane-air mixture [B. Renou, A. Boukhalfa, Combust. Sci. Tech. 162 (2001) 347–371]. Finally, LES engine cycles simulations are performed on a real engine configuration. First, the sensitivity of the model to the LES combustion filter size Δ ˆ is examined, showing a weak dependence of the modelling approach to Δ ˆ . Then results are compared to those obtained with the algebraic model for the FSD proposed by Boger et al. [M. Boger, D. Veynante, H. Boughanem, A. Trouve, Proc. Combust. Inst. 27 (1998) 917–925] and the need for non-equilibrium combustion models is demonstrated.