Performance study of an induced air porous radiant burner for household applications at high altitude

•A performance study of an induced air porous radiant burner was carried out.•Thermal and radiation efficiencies were measured for a porous radiant burner.•CO and NOx emission levels were measured for a porous radiant burner.•A maximum porous burner thermal efficiency near 50% was obtained for 370 kW/m2.

Porous radiant burners are presented as an alternative technology for improving the thermal efficiency of conventional burners. A performance study of an induced air porous radiant burner (IAPRB) with submerged combustion using natural gas was performed at high altitude to assess the feasibility of employing a porous burner operated with induced air in household applications. The experiments were performed in two-layer porous media. The preheating and combustion zones consisted of 400 ppi alumina honeycomb and 90% porosity silicon carbide foam, respectively. Three power per unit area levels, 370 kW/m2, 480 kW/m2 and 670 kW/m2, were evaluated. Pollutant emissions (CO and NOx), the radiation efficiency, the temperature profile along the bed, the primary air rate and the pressure drop across the porous materials were measured. A maximum burner thermal efficiency near 50% was obtained for 370 kW/m2, with a radiation efficiency of 27%. The preheating of the premix caused an increased bed pressure drop, which resulted in a reduction in ambient air entrainment and an air deficiency in the reaction zone. The CO emissions exceeded the standard allowable emissions.