Development of non-premixed porous inserted regenerative thermal oxidizer

Abstract

In this study, a porous inserted regenerative thermal oxidizer (PRTO) system was developed for a 125 kW industrial copper-melting furnace, due to its advantages of low NO x emissions and high radiant efficiency. Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) ceramic foams were placed into the combustion zone of a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO). Different performance characteristics of the RTO and PRTO systems, including pressure drop, temperature distribution, emissions, and energy efficiency, were evaluated to study the effects of the porous inserts on non-premixed CH4 combustion. It was found that the PRTO system achieved a significant reduction in the NO x emission level and a fuel saving of approximately 30% compared to the RTO system. It is most suitable for a lean combustion process at an equivalence ratio <0.4 with NO x and CO emission levels within 0.002%-0.003% and 0.001%-0.002%, respectively. © 2013 Zhejiang University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.