Molecular Nitrogen Yields from Fuel-Nitrogen in Backmixed Combustion

Abstract

The major species disposition of nitrogen from pyridine, added to a propane-argon-oxygen stream burned in a jet-stirred reactor, was investigated. Fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio ranged from 0.9 to 1.5, residence time from 10-50 ms, and temperature from 1500-1900 K. Nitrogen mass fraction relative to propane plus pyridine was normally 0.01, in a few cases 0.02. Molecular nitrogen (measured by gas chromatography) included with nitrogen oxides (chemiluminescent analyzer) and ammonia and hydrogen cyanide (wet chemistry) indicated for each reactor setting a complete nitrogen balance consistent with an estimated random error of approximately 10 percent. Examination of accumulated results for over 20 best-quality cases suggested no systematic imbalance. The results were consistent with data from comparison runs using atmospheric air oxidant (hence no molecular nitrogen measurement) with fuel nitrogen provided in the form of pyridine again.

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Notes on contributors

C. A. HALGREN

Current address: U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Bellevue, WA.