Diesel fuel combustion by spraying in a superheated steam jet

This paper experimentally studies the process of liquid hydrocarbon combustion by spraying a jet of superheated steam using diesel fuel as an example. A laboratory burner sample (with a power of up to 20 kW) is used to assess the effect of the operating parameters on the characteristics of the combustion process in the presence of superheated steam: heat generation, the composition of the combustion, products and the flame temperature. The dependences of the main calorific and environmental indicators of the burner on the temperature and flow rates of superheated steam and fuel are found. The maximal completeness of fuel combustion reaches 98.6%. With an increase in the mass fraction of the steam (up to 50%), a decrease in the content of nitrogen oxides is observed. The minimal contents of carbon monoxide are CO = 5 mg/kWh, while the level of nitrogen oxides is maximal but does not exceed 90 mg/kWh, corresponding to class 3 by EN 267. Compared with heated air jet technology, steam gasification technology has significant environmental advantages. The results are in demand for scientific substantiation of energy efficient and environmentally friendly ways of utilising substandard liquid hydrocarbons with heat production, verification of the mathematical model, and numerical simulation of the process. The results can be used for the development of the energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies of liquid hydrocarbon waste utilisation with the production of heat energy.