Experimental Investigation of Methane Assisted Pulverized Coal Flames Using an Optical Accessible Combustion Chamber

Abstract

The formation of inhalabe fine particles (d_p ${ \le\,\, 10 \mu {\text{m}}}$) is an undesirable side effect of solid fuel combustion processes. These particles can accumulate in the human respiratory system and thus cause severe lung damage. Therefore, an understanding of the formation of these particles is of crucial importance to avoid or reduce the amount of fine particulate matter released into the atmosphere. For the investigation of particulate matter formation, a swirled methane assisted pulverized coal combustion test rig was developed, which allows intrusive and non-intrusive measurements to be performed during the combustion process. Within the scope of this work, the developed test rig is described and results of laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurement are presented. The velocity measurements were performed at different height levels of the flame to investigate the flame structure. Within this study, it is shown that the experimental setup achieves stable and reproducible combustion conditions to allow detailed investigations in further works.