Emission rates of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in natural gas confined flames with OEC application

Abstract

The concept of environmental efficiency in equipments is increasingly in tariff with the unfolding of global warming, and, among the industrial equipments, the burners have a major impact in this discussion because it is an equipment of industrial combustion. Demand for environmentally more efficient burners, with the reduction of emissions is essential for the proper use of fossil fuels during the transition between this energy sources for alternatives energy, which can last more than fifty years. This study evaluates experimentally the technique of oxygen enhanced combustion – OEC – and its interaction with emission rates of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde – precursors for the production of tropospheric ozone and other atmospheric pollutants – in natural gas confined flames. In the experiment was used low enriched with oxygen, which does not require significant existing equipment changes. The emission rates were verified by analysis in liquid chromatography. With the use of oxidizer enrichment of 2 and 4%, the emission rates of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were reduced with the use of OEC in comparison with the use of atmospheric air as oxidant. The literature show that works with OEC has important points for improving the thermal efficiency of combustion and pollutants reduction. This technology can be an important tool for the adequacy of the industry in general, particularly in oil and gas, for the technological challenge of reducing global warming.