Formation of Hydrocarbons and Soot

Abstract

Hydrocarbons and soot predate NO_x (Chapter 17) as pollutants from combustion. In earlier times, smoke from the factory smokestack was a sign of prosperity. In time it became a nuisance and finally a health concern. The remedy to the appearance of soot and smoke are the three “t’s” of combustion: time, temperature, and turbulence (Babcox and Wilcox, 1970). By allowing for more time at high temperatures with good mixing, one is usually assured of oxidizing soot and other hydrocarbons. However, these conditions also lead to a larger production of NO.