Comparative Analysis of Swirl Burner and Cross Jet Burner in Terms of Efficiency and Environmental Performance

Abstract

Te article contains a comparative analysis of two types of burners used in diferent methods of fuel-air mixture preparation: (1) vortex mixing and (2) mixing with transverse jets. Te analysis was carried out in order to determine which one of the two burning devices is more efcient and has better environmental performance. In device no. 1, conditions for the fuel-air mixture formation are created by vortex turbulence. Te basic principle lying at the core of this design is a vortex fow inside, which provokes a more intense mixing of fuel and air. Moreover, preliminary physical and thermal treatment of the fuel-air mixture has a positive efect on its environmental performance. In contrast, in device no. 2 based on transverse jets’ active mixture formation is achieved through collision of air and fuel fows at an angle close to 90°. Te research was based on an experiment carried out with the use of a laboratory fring stand. Flue gas samples were analyzed in order to compare the main harmful air emission indicators with TESTO 350-XL gas analyzer. A propane-butane mixture of 60% C3H8 (propane) and 40% C4H10 (butane) was used as the main fuel. Some indicators were determined after the experiment: measurement units conversion from “ppm” to “mg/m3 ,” excess air ratio α and equivalence ratio φ, fue gas concentrations recalculation taking oxygen into account, fuel calorifc value, and heat release rate. Te analysis results are as follows: (i) the swirl burner shows better performance in terms of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions; there is a 1.75-fold diference in total NOx emissions compared to the cross jet burner; (ii) the burner on transverse jets is 10 times more efcient than the swirl burner in terms of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.