Effect of different concentration levels of CO2 and H2O on the oxidation of CO: Experiments and modeling

Recent increased interest in oxy-fuel combustion makes it interesting to study the impact of CO2 and H2O concentrations on the oxidation process of CO. Experiments were performed in a quartz flow reactor operating at atmospheric pressure, over the temperature range of 700–1800 K, from fuel rich to fuel lean conditions in the presence of variable amounts of CO2 and H2O as representative of different exhaust gas recirculation conditions. The experimental results were simulated and interpreted in terms of a detailed kinetic mechanism by Glarborg et al. [1], with minor changes and updates. Good agreement was found between model and the present experimental results and analysis of the experimental results as well as simulation of data reported in literature on CO oxidation with CO2/H2O presence was supported with the model used. Sensitivity and reaction path analyses were used to identify the important reactions involving CO oxidation as function of the different reaction environments.