Liquid fuels-fired porous combustor-heater

A new concept of a liquid fuels-fired porous combustor-heater (LPCH) without atomization is proposed. Basic experimental study was conducted with liquid kerosene on a down-flow LPCH to prove its concept and evaluate its performance. Effects of dominating parameters, i.e. mass flow rate of the cooling water, equivalence ratio and input thermal power, on temperature profiles within the LPCH, thermal efficiency and pollutant emissions (CO and NOX) under different conditions have been investigated and compared with those of the conventional free flame combustion system. The LPCH proved very effective in increasing thermal efficiency (up to 28% with respect to the conventional system) with a manageable level of CO emissions but low NOX emissions. The dominating parameters have a significant effect on flame location, combustion temperature and pollutant emissions. Operating the LPCH at optimized operating conditions is important for the requirement of low CO emissions without compromising thermal efficiency and NOX emissions. Practical applications of this LPCH are suggested.