Behavior of a 300 kWth regenerative multi-burner flameless oxidation furnace

The behavior of heat transfer and emissions in a semi-industrial 300 kWth natural gas fired furnace with three pairs of regenerative flameless oxidation burners was studied. The furnace offers unique possibilities for varying burner positions and firing modes (parallel and staggered). The operational behavior of two burner configurations have been compared regarding emissions (NO, CO) and temperature uniformity, for both parallel and staggered firing mode. Additionally, the flue gas O2 percentage (excess air ratio) and the cycle time have been varied. Parallel firing mode results in a higher temperature uniformity ratio in the furnace and in a lower NO emission. CO emission did not vary much between parallel and staggered mode.

► Flameless combustion is a promising method to maximize efficiency and minimize emission.
► 300 kWth three pair burner furnace is a unique test facility in the academic area.
► The fundamental behavior of regenerative multi-burner flameless combustion characteristics was studied.
► The effect of burner configurations and firing modes were investigated.
► The numerical modeling and in-furnace measurement will do for the next step.