Controlling Mechanisms of Pulsating Incineration Processes.
Abstract
The purpose of this research program is to study the fundamental processes that control the performance of acoustically excited incineration systems. The information learned will be used in the development of a compact, high efficiency waste incinerator for shipboard use. Tests performed during the course of this program have demonstrated that mixing and heat transport processes, both crucial to the incineration process, can be enhanced by imposing acoustic oscillations. Because the combustion efficiency and pollutant emission characteristics of incinerators are directly affected by the mixing of in-flowing air with fuel, acoustic control of turbulent jets is of interest to the development of compact incinerators. Studies of jets subjected to transverse mode oscillations have shown that, under the proper conditions, the jet will shed large, alternating, vortical structures that can cause the jet to bifurcate. This process results in a greater spatial mixing rate. Transverse mode acoustic forcing had the greatest effect in the range of St = 0.2 - 0.3. The effect of acoustic oscillations upon solid fuel pyrolysis was investigated by studying the effect of acoustic oscillations upon dry ice sublimation. This study showed that the presence of pulsations enhanced the sublimation process, which strongly suggests that they would also enhance the processes involved in incinerating solid wastes. Finally, the effects of acoustic oscillations on the combustion of simulated solid wastes in an incinerator were studied. Measurements of the burning rates and the emissions of NOx, CO, and CO2 were performed for different fuels and conditions. In all cases, it was shown that pulsations dramatically increased combustion rates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA315264
Entities
People
- B. T. Zinn
- J. I. Jagoda
- L. M. Matta
Organizations
- Georgia Tech