Studies of a swirl burner furnace system for the efficient combustion of poor quality gaseous fuels

摘要

A 2 MW swirl burner furnace system for the efficient utilisation of low calorific value gases has recently been recommissioned. It is designed to burn, without support fuel, waste gases with as low a calorific value as 1.3 MJ/m~3 (40 BTU/ft~3). This is achieved by the careful integration of a swirl burner and furnace system such that the initial flame stabilisation process is shielded from excessive heat loss by a well-insulated, refractory-lined furnace. This allows sufficient expansion for the recirculation regions to develop whilst preventing heat losses due to radiation and excessive mixing/quenching with cooler gases on the outer flame boundary. Experience has shown that a burner throat to furnace diameter ratio of 2 to 1 with swirl numbers in the range 1 to 1.5 give best results.