A Mesoscale Premixed LPG Burner with Surface Combustion in Porous Ceramic Foam

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt is made to develop an eco-friendly and compact premixed liquified petroleum gas burner based on surface combustion in a porous inert medium. The premixing mechanism is the combination of a swirler and steel wire mesh packing. The preheating and reaction zones are made up of alumina (Al₂O₃) foams of pore sizes, 26 and 8 ppcm, respectively. Experiments are conducted with 0.5 liters per minute of liquified petroleum gas fuel, which is found to be the minimum quantity required to produce a sustainable flame when mixed with 4 liters per minute of air, the mixture being highly fuel-rich. The combustion is facilitated by enough secondary (atmospheric) air to ensure complete combustion. The temperature distribution within the combustor; flame stability; maximum flame temperature; NO, CO, and SO₂ emissions; and combustion efficiency are measured and compared with those of a conventional domestic liquified petroleum gas stove. The fuel saving potential of the proposed burner is also evaluated. It is found that the proposed burner could yield an 80% savings in fuel consumption and 75% reduction in NOx emissions compared to the conventional one. The CO and SO₂ emissions are also well within the global standards.

Keywords:

• ceramic foam
• combustion efficiency
• equivalence ratio
• NOx and CO emission
• premixed combustion
• surface combustor