Chapter 13 - Chemistry of nitrogen oxides (NOx) formation in flameless combustion

Abstract

One of the major drivers beyond the development of flameless technology is its potential to cut the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) far below the harmful levels for both human health and the environment. Yet, although decades of research have consolidated the knowledge on the processes of NOx formation at high temperature, a complete understanding of their chemistry, especially in the operating conditions typical of flameless, is still far from being reached. As a matter of fact, at lower temperatures and with higher premixing levels, the significant reduction of the thermal and prompt pathways increases the relative importance of the chemistry of fuel-nitrogen, especially in the next-generation fuels like biomass-derived ones. Moreover, the presence of NOx in the fuel mixture, even in trace amounts, may alter the reactivity of the major hydrocarbons at lower temperatures.