Performance of a sonic burner system firing coal-oil mixtures

Abstract

The development of coal—oil mixture technology is progressing at an accelerated rate and the aim of this work has been the development of a new burner system (termed the sonic burner) to increase lignite loadings in air-atomizing burner systems. The burner system developed incorporates a sonic velocity at the atomizing air throat and a fuel oil gun with a single, relatively large opening at its exit. Lignite loadings with No. 6 fuel oil have reached 60.0 wt%. The flame produced at these loadings was stable, compact and characteristic of a No. 6 fuel oil flame. Fuel line plugging did not occur at these high lignite loadings; however, pumping problems did preclude increased lignite loadings. Results of this study are directly applicable to higher rank coals. Although feasible from a combustion viewpoint, no inference should be made from these results concerning erosion, ash deposition, particulate control or pollution characteristics, the work reported being based solely on combustion characteristics.