Laser Diagnostics and Computer Models of NOx Formation Chemistry in Natural Gas Combustion

The reduction of nitric oxide pollutant emissions is a major goal of the natural gas and burner industries. A combination of laser measurements of chemically reactive species together with computer models of detailed combustion chemistry provides the understanding of the chemical mechanisms by which nitric oxide is formed in flames, and forms the foundation for the selection of the best strategy and design for its abatement in practical systems. This paper describes these methods, as applied in the laboratory to flames burning at both low and atmospheric pressure.