Fuel Combustion
Introduction
The burning of fuel in presence of air is known as combustion.
It is a chemical reaction taking place between fuel and oxygen at
temperature above ignition temperature.
Heat is released during combustion process.
The substances taking part in combustion are called reactants
and the substances produced, during combustion are called
products of combustion.
fuel + air = products of combustion + heat
If the heat is released during the chemical process, it is called an
exothermic reaction.
When heat is absorbed from the surroundings during the
chemical reaction, it is called an endothermic reaction. Therefore,
combustion is an exothermic reaction.
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The combining of oxygen in the air and carbon in the fuel to form
carbon dioxide and generate heat is a complex process, requiring
the right mixing turbulence, sufficient activation temperature and
enough time for the reactants to come into contact and combine.
Unless combustion is properly controlled, high concentrations of
undesirable products can form.
Carbon monoxide (CO) and soot, for example, result from poor
fuel and air mixing or too little air.
Other undesirable products, such as nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2),
form in excessive amounts when the burner flame temperature is
too high.
If a fuel contains sulfur, sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas is formed.
For solid fuels such as coal and wood, ash forms from
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incombustible materials in the fuel.
Combustion process
Combustion refers to the rapid oxidation of fuel accompanied by
the production of heat, or heat and light.
Complete combustion of a fuel is possible only in the presence
of an adequate supply of oxygen.
Oxygen (O2) is one of the most common elements on earth
making up 20.9% of our air.
Rapid fuel oxidation results in large amounts of heat.
Solid or liquid fuels must be changed to a gas before they will
burn. Usually heat is required to change liquids or solids into
gases.
Fuel gases will burn in their normal state if enough air is present.
Most of the 79% of air (that is not oxygen) is nitrogen, with
traces of other elements. Nitrogen is considered to be a
temperature reducing diluter that must be present to obtain the
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oxygen required for combustion.
Carbon burned to CO2 will produce more heat per unit of fuel
than when CO or smoke are produced.
Three Ts of combustion
The objective of good combustion is to release all of the heat in
the fuel.
This is accomplished by controlling the "three T's" of combustion
which are (1) Temperature high enough to ignite and maintain
ignition of the fuel, (2) Turbulence or intimate mixing of the fuel
and oxygen, and (3) Time, sufficient for complete combustion.
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Combustion equations
When combustion of fuel takes place, the constituents of fuel react
with oxygen.
The molecular mass of various constituents of fuel are given below :
Constituent
Molecular mass
C
12
02
32
H2
2
S
32
N2
28
The relation between kg mass and kg mole of a substance is given by:
mass
Number of moles = _____________________
molecular mass
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Mass fraction
13
Mole fraction
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Excess air
In practice, the combustion of fuel is never complete with the
theoretical amount of air because of imperfect mixing of fuel and
air. Mixture of fuel and air is never homogeneous.
So, to ensure the complete combustion of fuel- usually the actual
air supplied is more than the theoretical air required for complete
combustion of fuel.
The difference of actual air supplied and the theoretical or
stoichiometric air required for complete combustion of fuel is
called excess air.
In order to ensure complete combustion, combustion chambers
are fired with excess air.
Excess air increases the amount of oxygen and nitrogen entering
the flame increasing the probability that oxygen will find and react
with the fuel.
The addition of excess air also increases turbulence, which
increases mixing in the combustion chamber.
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On weight basis:
Taking 1kg coal as basis, weight of oxygen required to burn 1kg of coal
C + O2 CO2
0.724 x 32/12 = 1.93 kg
0.053x 16/2 = 0.424 kg
0.009x32/32 = 0.009 kg
Total O2 = 2.363 kg per kg of coal
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Example 2
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Example 3
A blast furnace gas has the following volumetric analysis H 2-9%, CO-24%, CH4
2%, CO2-6%, O2-3% and N2-56%. Determine the Ultimate gravimetric
analysis.
Given volumetric analysis, H2 9%, CO-24%, CH4 2%, CO2-6%, O2-3% and
N2-56%.
Solution: The volumetric analysis may be converted into gravimetric analysis by
completing the table as follows:
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***THE END***
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