Studies on low-intensity oxy-fuel burner

This paper presents experimental and computational results of oxy-fuel burner operating on classical flame and flameless mode for heat release rate of 26 kW/m(3). The uniqueness of the burner arises from a slight asymmetric injection of oxygen at near sonic velocities. Measurements of temperature, species, total heat flux, radiative heat flux and NOx emission were carried out inside the furnace and the flow field was computationally analyzed. The flame studies were carried Out for coaxial flow of oxygen and fuel jets with similar inlet velocities. This configuration results in slow mixing between fuel and oxygen and the flame is developed at distance away from the burner and the flame is bright/white in colour. In the flameless mode a slight asymmetric injection of the high velocity oxygen jet leads to a large asymmetric recirculation pattern with the recirculation ratio of 25 and the resulting flame is weak bluish in colour with little soot and acetylene formation. The classical flame in comparison is characterised by soot and acetylene formation, higher NOx and noise generation. The distribution of temperature and heat flux in the furnace is more uniform with flameless mode than with flame mode. (C) 2009 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.