Evaluation of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde emission rates in natural gas confined flames with OEC

Abstract

This study evaluates experimentally the technique of oxygen enhanced combustion - OEC - and its interaction with emission rates of both formaldehyde and acetaldehyde - precursors for the production of tropospheric ozone and other atmospheric pollutants - in natural gas confined flames. The experiment analyzed low enrichment with oxygen, which does not require significant existing equipment changes. The emission rates were verified by analysis in liquid chromatography. Through the use of oxidizer enrichment of 2 and 4%, the emission rates of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were reduced with OEC in comparison with the use of atmospheric air as oxidant. The formaldehyde/acetaldehyde ratio on the tested conditions indicates a likely preferential reduction of formaldehyde emissions.