Fuels and Combustion

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Recommended Books
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
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Fuels and Combustion; M.L. Smith & K.W. Stinson Fuels and Fuel Technology ; W. Francis & M.C. Peters Fuel Solid , Liquid and Gaseous; J.S.S. Brame & J.G.
King

Hydrocarbon Fuels; E.M. Goodger Coal Conversion Processes; Stanley & Lee Fuel Testing: Laboratory Methods in Fuel Technology; G.W. Himus Methods of Analysis of Fuels and Oils;
Campbell

J.R.

Element of fuel , furnaces and combustion

O.P Gupta.
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Fuel
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A substance which produce heat either by combustion or by nuclear fission / fusion

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Classification of Fuels
Fuels can be classified as solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. l Solid fuels : wood, coal, charcoal (50% to 95% carbon) and coke Liquid fuels : petrol, kerosene, diesel, alcohol etc Gaseous fuels : methane, propane, butane, hydrogen, coal gas, gobar gas etc
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Classification of Fuels
Primary Fuels: Naturally occurring e.g. coal, wood, natural gas l Secondary Fuels: Which are derived from primary fuels e.g. kerosene, coke etc
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Naturally occurring l Artificially prepared

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Combustion
Combustion is the conversion of a substance (called a fuel) into chemical compounds known as products of combustion by combination with an oxidizer. l The combustion process is an exothermic chemical reaction, i.e., a reaction that releases energy.
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Combustion
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Combustion or burning is a complex sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel (usually a hydrocarbon) and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat or both heat and light
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Combustion
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Fuel + Oxidizer => Products of combustion + Energy

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Fuel ? Oxidizer ? Products of Combustion ? Incomplete Combustion ?

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Fundamental Definitions
Calorific value Amount of heat librated by the combustion of unit quantity of fuel. kcal/ kg , kcal / m3 l Gross Calorific Value (G.C.V) or HCV heating value measurement in which the product water vapour is allowed to condense l Net Calorific Value (N.C.V) or LCV heating value in which the water remains a vapor and does not yield its heat of vaporization
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HHV = LHV + (mwater /mfuel)water

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Fundamental Definitions
Flash Point The lowest temperature at which a liquid fuel gives enough vapours in air which produce a momentary flash when exposed to a flame l Firepoint The lowest temperature at which a liquid fuel vapours in air produces a continuous flame when exposed to a flame
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Fundamental Definitions
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Density Specific gravity Viscosity Pour Point Carbon Residue

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Fundamental Definitions
Theoretical Flame Temperature:

It is the temperature attained by the products of combustion of fuel when there is no loss of heat to the surroundings Flue Gas: It is the gaseous product of combustion of fuel
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Coal
Origin of Coal Coal has been formed by the partial decay of plant materials accumulated million of years ago and further altered by the action of heat and pressure l In situ Theory: coal occupies the same site where the orignal palnts grew l Drift Theory: plants were uprooted and drifted by rivers to get deposited
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Coal classification
Peat : Lignite: soft coal and the youngest sub-bituminous Bituminous: Anthracite: hard and geologically the oldest composed mainly of carbon

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Types
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As geological processes apply pressure to dead biotic material over time, under suitable conditions it is transformed successively into Peat, considered to be a precursor of coal, has industrial importance as a fuel in some regions, for example, Ireland and Finland. In its dehydrated form, peat is a highly effective absorbent for fuel and oil spills on land and water Lignite, also referred to as brown coal, is the lowest rank of coal and used almost exclusively as fuel for electric power generation.
Jet is a compact form of lignite that is sometimes polished and has been used as an ornamental stone since the Iron Age
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Jet
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Jet is a geological material and is considered to be a minor gemstone. Jet is not considered a true mineral, but rather a mineraloid as it has an organic origin, being derived from decaying wood under extreme pressure.

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Sub-bituminous coal
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Sub-bituminous coal, whose properties range from those of lignite to those of bituminous coal are used primarily as fuel for steam-electric power generation. Additionally, it is an important source of light aromatic hydrocarbons for the chemical synthesis industry. Bituminous coal, dense mineral, black but sometimes dark brown, often with well-defined bands of bright and dull material, used primarily as fuel in steam-electric power generation, with substantial quantities also used for heat and power applications in manufacturing and to make coke
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Anthracite, the highest rank; a harder, glossy, black coal used primarily for residential and commercial space heating. Graphite, technically the highest rank, but difficult to ignite and is not so commonly used as fuel: it is mostly used in pencils and, when powdered, as a lubricant.

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Coal Analysis
Proximate analysis of coal
Determines only fixed carbon, volatile matter, moisture and ash Useful to find out heating value (GCV) Simple analysis equipment

Ultimate analysis of coal

Determines all coal component elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur, etc Useful for furnace design (e.g flame temperature, flue duct design) Laboratory analysis
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Proximate analysis
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Moisture Content : Moisture in coal must be transported, handled and stored Since it replaces combustible matter, it decreases the heat content per kg of coal Aids radiation heat transfer

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Proximate analysis
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Volatile Matter: Consist of CH4, hydrocarbons, H2 and CO, and incombustible gases like CO2 and N2 Proportionately increases flame length, and helps in easier ignition of coal Sets minimum limit on the furnace height and volume

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Proximate analysis
Ash Content : Ash is an impurity that will not burn Reduces handling and burning capacity. Increases handling costs. Affects combustion efficiency and boiler efficiency Causes clinkering

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Proximate analysis
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Fixed carbon: Solid fuel left in the furnace after volatile matter is removed consists mostly of carbon may contains some H2, O2, S and N2 gives a rough estimate of heating value of coal

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Pyrolysis is usually the first chemical reaction that occurs in the burning of many solid organic fuels, like wood, cloth, and paper, and also of some kinds of plastic. In a wood fire, the visible flames are not due to combustion of the wood itself, but rather of the gases released by its pyrolysis; whereas the flame-less burning of embers is the combustion of the solid residue (charcoal) left behind by it. Thus, the pyrolysis of common materials like wood, plastic, and clothing is extremely important for fire safety and fire-fighting.

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In practice it is not possible to achieve a completely oxygen-free atmosphere. Because some oxygen is present in any pyrolysis system, a small amount of oxidation occurs. The word is coined from the Greek-derived elements pyr "fire" and lysis "separating".

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Pyrolysis has been used since ancient times for turning wood into charcoal in an industrial scale. Besides wood, the process can also use sawdust and other wood waste products. Charcoal is obtained by heating wood until its complete pyrolysis (carbonization) occurs, leaving only carbon and inorganic ash. In many parts of the world, charcoal is still produced semiindustrially, by burning a pile of wood that has been mostly covered with mud or bricks. The heat generated by burning part of the wood and the volatile by products pyrolyzes the rest of the pile. The limited supply of oxygen prevents the charcoal from burning too. A more modern alternative is to heat the wood in an airtight metal vessel, which is much less polluting and allows the volatile products to be condensed.
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