Low-emission premixed porous inert media (PIM) burner system fueled with vegetable (rapeseed) oil using a flow velocity flame stabilization technique

One of the main targets of all current combustion systems, in addition to high efficiency and robust performance, is the ability to meet current and future pollutant emission regulations. In the present work, the suitability of vegetable (rapeseed) oil as a renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly source of energy to operate porous inert medium (PIM) atmospheric burners was examined. A prototype integrated vaporizer system with a PIM burner based on the flow velocity flame stabilization technique was built and experimentally investigated. The operation was based on using two vaporizers working in a mutual mode, so that one of the vaporizers supplies the burner with the oil vapor while the other is cleaned. The PIM burner was successfully tested at power values from 5 to 20 kW, which correspond to a power modulation range of 1:6. Using a special oxidation cleaning technique, a free-residual vaporizer has been obtained. Qualitatively, a very good homogeneous and stable combustion shape across the burner was obtained. During the whole experiment, CO emissions recorded a zero value continuously for the whole range of power and relative air ratio tested. Furthermore, no flashback condition or smoke or soot formation was noticed during operation. The results of NO_x and CO emission levels prove the high degree of repeatability and reliability of combustion with this new combustion technique in PIM burners. These results prove an excellent emission performance with respect to environmental pollution legislation.