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MECHANISM AND KINETICS OF THE FORMATION OF NOX AND OTHER COMBUSTION POLLUTANTS. PHASE I. UNMODIFIED COMBUSTION
Citation:
Engleman, V. AND W. Bartok. MECHANISM AND KINETICS OF THE FORMATION OF NOX AND OTHER COMBUSTION POLLUTANTS. PHASE I. UNMODIFIED COMBUSTION. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-76/009a.
Description:
The report gives Phase I results of an investigation of the mechanisms and kinetics of the formation of NOx and other combustion pollutants. It gives results of experimental investigations of unmodified combustion and supporting theoretical calculations. The combustion of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and propane with air in a jet-stirred combustor (JSC) was studied to facilitate the assessment of coupled combustion/pollutant formation. The JSC tests also extended the range and accuracy of data taken in previous studies. Experiments also included a flow reactor capable of accepting multiple burner types and operating with selected wall temperature. Premixed flat and focused flames, as well as laminar and turbulent diffusion flames, were studied in the flow reactor using methane and propane fuels. The tests included heat-loss and adiabatic conditions and a limited number of wall heat addition cases. Stirred reactor calculations, supporting the experimental program, indicated the need for more detailed kinetics in hydrocarbon/air combustion before NOx formation can be predicted. Similarly, plug flow calculations indicated strong coupling between combustion reactions, specie diffusion, and NOx formation in the flame zone. Further kinetic data on reactions between hydrocarbon fragments and nitrogenous species is required to properly assess the importance of those interactions in NOx formation.