Visualization of Spatially Resolved Thermal Nitric Oxide Production Rates as a Tool for Emissions Reduction and Combustion Optimization

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Title Visualization of Spatially Resolved Thermal Nitric Oxide Production Rates as a Tool for Emissions Reduction and Combustion Optimization
Creator Annen, Kurt D.; Stickler, David B.; Brown, Robert C.
Publisher Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah
Date 1999
Spatial Coverage presented at San Francisco, California
Abstract A new diagnostic technique has been developed that directly visualizes regions of high NOx formation in combustion flowfields. The technique is based on the familiar "green" chemiluminescent emission from boron combustion that is produced by the reaction BO + O + M -> B02* + M. The strongest emission bands are at 518, 548, and 580 nm. This reaction has similarity with the rate-limiting step in the Zel'dovich mechanism, N2 + O -> NO + N, in that both reactions have a first order dependence on the O atom concentration. Initial experimental studies of turbulent jet diffusion flames have shown that the boron chemiluminescence intensity closely tracks the NO production rate. Photographic and digital images of chemiluminescent emission from the flames, acquired with high spatial and temporal resolution, clearly visualize the three-dimensional flame sheet where NOx formation rates are highest. Modeling studies were also performed using detailed kinetic mechanisms for the NOx chemistry and boron seed decomposition and reaction. The results indicated that the boron chemiluminescence intensity closely follows the NO production rate over a range of pressures and equivalence ratios. This NOx production rate visualization technique promises to be a useful tool for reducing NOx emissions and for diagnosing and improving mixing characteristics in practical burners and combustors.
Type Text
Format application/pdf
Language eng
Rights This material may be protected by copyright. Permission required for use in any form. For further information please contact the American Flame Research Committee.
Conversion Specifications Original scanned with Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II, 16.7 megapixel digital camera and saved as 400 ppi uncompressed TIFF, 16 bit depth.
Scanning Technician Cliodhna Davis
ARK ark:/87278/s6bz68nc
Setname uu_afrc
ID 11819
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6bz68nc