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Ce211 PDF
Ce211 PDF
66
Version No:
Date:
10-Dec-01
Author(s):
Source(s):
See CF
Referee(s):
Mikko Hupa
Status:
Approved
Sponsor:
1. Background
In order to present a clear background to the continuously developing range of Nitrogen
Oxides (NOx) control techniques and equipment, it is essential to understand NOx
formation chemistry.
There are a number of nitrogen oxides, but only three of these are of interest for
combustion processes:
The first two, NO and NO2 are collectively referred to as NOx and they are essential
contributors to the acid rain or smog problems.
The NOx content in the combustion gases from conventional power plant boilers and
many industrial heating process contains some 90 % NO with the remainder NO2.
The third oxide, N2O, is found in flue gases from, among others, Fluidised bed
combustors, and from engine exhaust gases after the catalytic converting system.
N2O is not an acidic oxide, and is normally not included in the abbreviation NOx.
However, N2O is a gas, which contributes to the destruction of the stratospheric ozone.
This Combustion File gives a brief overview on this subject and gives a platform for
more detailed Combustion Files both on NOx formation and reduction chemistry.
There are basically three recognized mechanism on NOx formation Thermal, Fuel and
Prompt. These are outlined below.
16
0.5
69090
exp
[N 2] [O 2]
T
(4)
Volatile fuel nitrogen is evolved mainly as HCN (and NH3) during the processes.
iii)
The HCN reacts with various free radical species (O, OH) to form intermediates
such as CN, NCO, HNCO and ultimately with reaction with H to produce NH,
NH2.
Fuel NOx can be most effectively minimised by burning the fuel by staged combustion,
which implies delayed mixing between the fuel gas and air.
Glossary terms
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Gaseous atmospheric pollutant Mixture of oxides of Nitrogen
comprising NO and NO2
Keywords
combustion; emissions, NOx formation reactions, NOx control; fuel NOx; nitrogen oxides
NOx; prompt NOx; thermal NOx.
Sources
[1] Bowman CT, Kinetics of Pollutant Formation and Destruction on Combustion, Prog
Energy Combust Sci 1 33-45, (1975).
[2] Beltagui SA, Kenbar AMA & McCallum NRL, NOx Generation and Control in Confined
Swirling Flames Review and Parametric Study, HTFS Paper No RS 827, (1989)
Acknowledgements
None
File Placing
[Emissions] [NOx] [Formation]
[Modelling]; [Mathematical]; [Emissions]
[Basics]; [Chemistry]; [Nitrogen Oxides]
Access Domain
[Open Domain]
The information contained in this Combustion File is derived from the IFRF Combustion
Handbook (http://www.handbook.ifrf.net)
IFRF 1999 - 2001