Most major industrialized urban areas in the U.S. are unable to meet the National Ambient. Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. Atmospheric studies have shown that ozone formation is the result of a complex set of chemical reactions involving volatile organic compounds. (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Those studies indicate that many urban areas with VOC/ NOx ratios greater tan 15:1 can reduce ambient. Ozone levels Control Technology only by reducing NOx emissions. Many states, therefore, are implementing NOx control. Regulations for combustion devices in order to achieve compliance with the NAAQS ozone standard.
This article discusses the characterization of NOx emissions from industrial combustion devices. It then provides guidance on how to evaluate the applicable NOx control technologies and select an appropriate control method.
Characterizing Emissions
Most industrial combustion devices have not been test to establish their baseline NOx emission levels. Rather, the NOx emissions from these units have been simply estimate using various factors. In light of recent regulations, however, it is mandatory. That the NOx emissions from affect units now be known with certainty. This will establish each unit’s present compliance status and allow definition of fee applicable. Control technologies for those units that will require modification to achieve compliance.
The basic approach is to select one device from a class of units. That is, of same design and size) for characterization testing (NOx, CO2, and 02). Testing is conduct at three load points that represent the normal operating range of the unit. With excess oxygen variation testing conducted at each load point. Figure 1 illustrates the typical characterization test results. The remaining units in the class are tested at only one load point, at or near full load.
The operational data obtained during testing. In conjunction with the NOx and CO data, are use to define the compliance status of each unit. As well as the applicable NOx control technologies for those devices that must be modify. In most instances, this approach will allow multiple units to be test in one day and provide the necessary operational. Data the engineer needs to properly evaluate the potential NOx control technologies.
Fundamental Concepts
Reasonably available control technology (RACT) standards. NOx emissions are define in terms of an emission limit, such as 0.2 lb NOx/MMBtu. Rather than mandating Specific NOx control technologies. Depending on the fuel fired and the design of the combustion device. A myriad of control technologies may be viable options. Before selecting RACT for a particular combustion device. it is necessary to understand how NOx emissions are form so that the appropriate control strategy may be formulate.
NOx emissions formed during the combustion process are a function of the fuel composition, the operating mode, and the basic design of the boiler and combustion equipment. Each of these parameters can play a significant role in the final level of NOx emissions. Each of these mechanisms is driven by three basic parameters. Temperature of combustion, time above threshold temperatures in an oxidizing or reducing atmosphere, and turbulence during initial combustion.
Experimentally measured NOx formation rates near the flame zone are higher than those predicted by the Zeldovich relationship. This rapidly forming NO is referr to as prompt NO. The discrepancy between the predict and measured thermal. NOx values is attribute to the simplifying assumptions used in the derivation of the Zeldovich equation. such as the equilibrium assumption that O = ½ 02. Near the hydrocarbon-air flame zone. The concentration of the formed radicals, such as O and OH, can exceed the equilibrium values, Which enhances the rate of NOx formation. However, the importance of prompt NO in NOx emissions is negligible in comparison to thermal and fuel NOx.
When nitrogen is introduce with the fuel, completely different characteristics are observ. The NOx formed from the reaction of the fuel nitrogen with oxygen is termed fuel NOx. The most common form of fuel nitrogen is organically. Bound nitrogen present in liquid or solid fuels where individual nitrogen atoms are bond to carbon or other atoms. These bonds break more easily than the diatomic N2 bonds so that fuel. NOx formation rates can be much higher than those of thermal NOx. In addition, any nitrogen compounds (e.g., ammonia) introduced into the furnace react in much the same way.
Fuel NOx is much more sensitive to stoichiometry than to thermal conditions. For this reason, traditional thermal treatments. such as flue gas recirculation and water injection. Do not effectively reduce NOx emissions from liquid and solid fuel combustion.
NOx emissions can be control either during the combustion process or after combustion complete. Combustion control technologies rely on air or fuel staging techniques to take advantage of the kinetics of NOx formation or introducing inerts that inhibit the formation of NOx during combustion, or both. Post-combustion control technologies rely on introducing reactants in specified temperature regimes that destroy NOx either with or without the use of catalyst to promote the destruction.
Conbustion Control
The simplest of the combustion control technologies is low-excess-air operation–that is, reducing the excess air level to the point of some constraint, such as carbon monoxide formation, flame length, flame stability, and so on. Unfortunately, low-excess-air operation has proven to yield only moderate NOx reductions, if any.
Three technologies that have demonstrated their effectiveness in controlling NOx emissions are off-stoichiometric combustion. low-NOx burners, and combustion temperature reduction. The first two are applicable to all fuels, while the third is applicable only to natural gas and low-nitro-gen-content fuel oils. Off-stoichiometric, or stage, combustion is achieve by modifying the primary combustion zone stoichiometry – that is, the air/fuel ratio. This may be accomplish operationally or by equipment modifications.
An operational technique known us burners-out-of-service (BOOS) involves terminating the fuel flow to selected burners while leaving the air registers open. The remaining burners operate fuel-rich, thereby limiting oxygen availability, lowering peak flame temperatures, and reducing NOx formation. The unreacted products combine with the air from the terminated-fuel burners to complete burnout before exiting the furnace https://techsolutionstips.com/ . Figure 2 illustrates the effectiveness of this technique applied to electric utility boilers. Staged combustion can also be achieve by installing air-only ports, referred to as overfire air (OFA) ports, above the burner zone. redirecting a portion of the air from the burners to the OFA ports. A variation of this concept, lance air, consists of installing air tubes around the periphery of each burner to supply staged air.