Combustion: Fundamentals and Applications

ENERGY ENGINEERING Master of Science

aa. 2012-2013

Cap. 1.0 Introduction to Combustion

Prof. Fabio Cozzi
 Introduction to Combustion 2

Combustion is one of the oldest technology of mankind!

Fabio Cozzi, Combustion: Fundamentals and Applications

 Introduction to Combustion 3

Combustion is widespread, at present ~85% of our energy support is

provided by combustion!

Electricity

Transportations

Heating, cooking

Manufacturing (Iron, glass, cement, textiles ….)

Combustion of organic material…waste to energy…..

Fabio Cozzi, Combustion: Fundamentals and Applications
 Introduction to Combustion 4

Combustion can sometimes be very dangerous/deadly!

Safety issues!

Fabio Cozzi, Combustion: Fundamentals and Applications

 Introduction to Combustion 5

A possible definition of COMBUSTION

“Rapid oxidation generating heat, or both light and heat ; also slow

oxidation accompanied by relatively little heat and no light”

Fabio Cozzi, Combustion: Fundamentals and Applications

 Introduction to Combustion 6

Diffusion flame Premixed Flame

Fabio Cozzi, Combustion: Fundamentals and Applications

 Introduction to Combustion 7

Domestic burner

Industrial burner
Fabio Cozzi, Combustion: Fundamentals and Applications
 Introduction to Combustion 8

FLAMELESS COMBUSTION
MILD combustion
HTAC, (High Temperature Air Combustion)
high temperature air combustors are not always flameless and vice-versa

In flameless mode, reactions take place in a distributed large volume instead of being
concentrated into a thin, highly convoluted and stretched flame front . With flameless combustion,
there is no flame front, no visible flame, no UV or ionisation detection, and no noise or roar. CO
and NOx are abated to very small residual values.

Flame regime Flameless regime

Fabio Cozzi, Combustion: Fundamentals and Applications