Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Solar, Natural Gas, Middle East
Flameless combustion could generate power with very low emissions
Until more eco-friendly alternatives become available, most of us are stuck burning fossil-fuels for our power, whether we're driving or just powering the lights in our homes. With that in mind, researchers from the Middle East are working on new ways to reduce the emissions from methane-gas burning turbines for power generation. Using very high heat and very low oxygen levels, Mohamed Sassi of The Petroleum Institute in Abu Dabi, along with Mohamed Hamdi and Hamaid Bentîcha from the National School of Engineers of Monastir in Tunisia, have modeled what is known as flameless combustion, or flameless oxidation (FLOX). This new process could drastically reduce the harmful NOX emissions associated with gas-burning turbines while also being more efficient. We have hopes that the widespread generation of power could be taken care of with alternatives such as wind, solar and wave power, but since even landfills give off methane gas, technology such as this could prove very useful in the future.
[Source: Science Daily]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rgseidl 5:41PM (4/02/2008)
How ironic that ABG should choose a picture of a flame for a piece on flameless combustion.
Also, the principle of "cold flame" combustion is well known, but for long-chained molecules (e.g. diesel). In general, what you get is a mix of CO and H2 (syngas) with only very little CO2 and H2O. The syngas can then be oxidized without a flame using additional O2 and a catalyst.
What's remarkable that these researchers managed to get something similar going for methane, which is the most difficult hydrocarbon to ignite (130 RON).
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Mario Sanchez 11:14AM (11/01/2008)
This kind doesnt use catalysist to obtain flameless oxidation of the fuel, it is based on the direct injection of fuel and combustion air inside the combustion chamber and a mixing of the reactants with exhaust gases before the reactions take place.
Mario Sanchez 4:46PM (11/01/2008)
Aditionally this isnt a partial oxidation of the fuel to obtain syngas, in flameless combustion the fuel is completely burned.
Will 10:00AM (4/03/2008)
I wonder what sort of catalyst will have to be used. Anyone know?
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Mario Sanchez 11:07AM (11/01/2008)
This kind doesnt use catalysist to obtain flameless oxidation of the fuel, it is based on the direct injection of fuel and combustion air inside the combustion chamber and a mixing of the reactants with exhaust gases before the reactions take place.
MikeS 12:05PM (4/03/2008)
Um... Tunisia is not in the Middle East. It's in North(-westernish) Africa, between Algeria and Libya.
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steven 4:43PM (4/03/2008)
@3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_east#Territories_and_regions
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Jennifer Pasteur 6:04PM (4/24/2008)
I live in Denver CO and there are days when the air is so thick and well,....brown..there are so many vehicles,boats,motorcycles and recreational vehicles that the air is hard to breathe! I think it is time to look at not only different fuels but some of the great enhancers out there. Nano Tech Fuel is launching a new fuel enhancer that is completely Earth Friendly,Non-hazardous and Non-Flamable..It works in any petrol,diesel and HFO engine: 2 and 4 stroke engines,motorcycles,scooters,mopeds,trucks,buses,autos,tractors,locos,constructiom equiptement,generators,agric. equiptment,ships and ocean liners..It is time to start positively impacting our environment by improving air quality and reducing harmful pollutants. We can all do something!
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Mario Sanchez 11:14AM (11/01/2008)
This kind doesnt use catalysist to obtain flameless oxidation of the fuel, it is based on the direct injection of fuel and combustion air inside the combustion chamber and a mixing of the reactants with exhaust gases before the reactions take place.
Reply