Numerical modeling for structure and NOx formation characteristics of oxygen-enriched syngas turbulent non-premixed jet flames

Abstract

The present study numerically investigated the effect of oxygen enrichment on the precise structure and NOx formation characteristics of turbulent syngas non-premixed flames. The turbulence-chemistry interactions were represented by a Lagrangian flamelet model. In context with the Lagrangian flamelet model, the NO concentration was obtained directly from the flamelet calculation based on full NOx chemistry, with radiative heat loss being accounted for through the flamelet energy equation. Computations were performed for three different syngas compositions with a designated nitrogen dilution level. Numerical results indicated that, for the CO-rich composition with the lowest LHV yielding the highest scalar dissipation rate and shortest flight time, the flame structure was dominantly influenced by turbulence-chemistry interactions. On the other hand, with regard to the H2-rich composition with the highest LHV yielding the lowest injection velocity and longest flight time, the flame structure was strongly influenced by radiative cooling. The peak NO level was remarkably elevated by increased oxygen level due to the elevated temperature of the oxygen-enriched flame. In the enhanced oxygen level (30%), the H2-rich case produced the highest NO level due to a higher temperature and longer residence time within the hot flame zone, while the CO-rich case yielded the lowest NO level due to a lower temperature and shorter residence time. It was also found that, by enhancing the oxygen level, contributions of NNH and N2O to total NO emission rapidly decreased while the contributions of the thermal NO path were progressively dominant for all cases.