Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Decoupling Combustion Characteristics of a Burner with Flame Stabilizer

Abstract

In order to integrate renewable electricity into the power grid, it is crucial for coal-fired power plant boilers to operate stably across a wide load range. Achieving steady combustion with low nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions poses a significant challenge for boilers burning low-volatile coal in coal-fired power plants. This study focuses on developing a decoupling combustion technology for low-volatile coal-fired boilers operating at low loads. A three-dimensional numerical simulation is employed to analyze and optimize the geometrical parameters of a burner applied in a real 300 MW pulverized coal fired boiler. Detailed analysis of the burner’s decoupling combustion characteristics, including stable combustion ability and NOx reduction principles, is conducted. The results indicate that this burner showed three stages of coal/air separation, and the flame holder facilitates the stepwise spontaneous ignition and combustion of low-volatile coal. By extending the time between coal pyrolysis and carbon combustion, the burner enhances decoupling combustion and achieves low nitrogen oxide emissions. Based on optimization, a flat partition plate without inclination demonstrates excellent performance in terms of velocity vector field distribution, coal air flow rich/lean separation, combustion, and nitrogen oxide generation. Compared with the initial structural design, the average nitrogen oxide concentration at the outlet is reduced by 59%.