Energy Savings and Environmental Impacts from Fuel Substitution in Premixed Flame Processes

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting how energy and mass savings can be achieved through fuel substitution in turbulent premixed flames impinging on to solid surfaces for treatment purposes. The environmental impacts resulting from the fuel substitution are discussed. A propane-oxygen and a methane-oxygen premixed flame are simulated. The operational pressure is increased up to 0.7 MPa for both cases, and it is shown that local extinction is alleviated at a lower pressure (0.5 MPa) with methane. The combustion and flow characteristics are modelled using a finite volume computational approach. Predictions show that the substitution of fuel is possible and the same heat release is succeeded with 8% less fuel consumption when natural gas is used. The basic emission in both flames is carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) which is reduced when natural gas is used.