Control of NOx and particulate emissions from spreader-stokers fired with hogged wood

The formation and emission of nitrogen oxides and particulate carry-over were studied from spreader-stoker combustion of hogged Douglas-fir, with a focus on optimizing the combustion conditions in each of the two distinct combustion zones, the bed phase and the suspension phase local oxygen availability was the controlling parameter for nitric oxide formation. Minimum nitric oxide emissions were found when local air:fuel stoichiometric ratios were held at 0.70-0.85, with emissions reduced as much as 39%. Long first-stage residence times allowed intermediate nitrogenous species to decay to molecular nitrogen, if there was sufficient oxygen for first-stage formation of nitric oxide. Entrainment of large particulates was a function of furnace gas velocities in the bed zone. Operation of the furnace at low stoichiometric ratios (fuel rich) in the bed zone reduced these gas velocities and thus reduced particulate emissions.