International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882

Volume 4, Issue 7, July 2015

A Computational Evaluation of Emissions for Non-premixed

Natural gas Combustion
Manish kale1, Rohit choudhary2, Santosh kumar dixit3
1
2

(Department of Mechanical Engineering, B.I.T.S college, Bhopal.Email: manishkale15@gmail.com)

(Department of Mechanical Engineering, B.I.T.S college, Bhopal. Email: rohitbits1979@yahoo.co.in)
3
(Department of Mechanical Engineering Email: santosh_dixit78@yahoo.co.in)

ABSTRACT
Computational fluid dynamics is a widely used tool in
optimizing natural gas burners, for instance, emission
issues. In this study we are able to find out the
percentage of NOX is our main interest which will help
to reduce the formation of smog and acidic rain and
many other harmful effects. However with
computational efforts calculating three-dimensional
turbulent flames, there is necessity of simplified models
in order to simulate the combustion reactions and the
NOx formation. Hitherto, models describing thermal NO
and prompt formation of NO, respectively, were applied
in a post-processing step. It is found that fast chemistry
approaches are unable to predict the temperature field.
Whereas spectral model plays a fundamental role for the
correct analysis of such scale devices. The paper
describe the process of combustion of natural gas and
detect the NOX formation like mass fraction of NO, NO2
and N2O.
Keywords - CFD, FVM, LES,
COMBUSTION, NATURAL GAS etc.

RSM,

majority or all of the turbulent scales are modeled, the

computational cost is very less, but the tradeoff comes in
a form of decreased accuracy.
1.4 Reynolds stress model (RSM) This approach
attempts to actually solve transport equations for the
Reynolds stresses. This means the introduction of
several transport equations for all the Reynolds stresses
and hence this approach is much more costly in CPU
effort.
1.5 Large eddy simulation (LES) is a technique in
which the smallest scales of the flow are removed
through a filtering operation, and sub grid-scale
modeling using models through their effects. This allows
the largest and important scales of the turbulence to be
resolved, while greatly reduces the computational cost
incurred by very small scales. This method needs greater
computational resources than RANS methods, but is
very cheaper than DNS.

NOX,

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Computational fluid dynamics, generally
abbreviated as CFD, It is a branch of fluid mechanics
which uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve
and analyze problems that includes fluid flows.
Computer simulations are used to perform the
calculations required for interaction of liquids and gases
with surfaces defined by boundary conditions.
1.2 The finite volume method (FVM) is a common
approach used in CFD codes, as it has an advantage in
memory usage and solution speed, especially for large
problems, high Reynolds number turbulent flows, and
source term dominated flows (like combustion).
1.3 Turbulence models can be classified based on
computational cost, that corresponds to the range of
scales that are modeled versus, resolved (the more
turbulent scales that are resolved, finer the resolution of
the simulation, the higher the computational cost). If

1.6 Detached eddy simulations (DES) are a

modification of a RANS model in which the model
switches to a sub grid-scale formulation in regions fine
enough for LES calculations. Near solid boundary
regions where the turbulent length scale is less than the
maximum grid dimension are assigned the RANS mode
solution. As the turbulent length scale exceeds the grid
dimension, these regions are solved with the help of LES
mode.
1.7 K-epsilon turbulence model
K-epsilon (k-) turbulence model is the most common
model used in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to
simulate turbulent conditions. It is a two equation model
which gives a general description of turbulence by
means of two transport equations (PDEs). The original
impetus for the K-epsilon model was to improve the
mixing-length model, as well to find an alternative to
algebraically prescribing turbulent length scales in
moderate to high complexity flows. The first transported
variable determines the energy in the turbulence and is
called turbulent kinetic energy (k). The second
transported variable is the turbulent dissipation ( )

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International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 4, Issue 7, July 2015

which determines the rate of dissipation of the turbulent

kinetic energy.

2.1 Combustion
Combustion is the sequence of exothermic chemical
reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by
the production of heat and conversion of chemical
species. The heat release can produce light in the form of
either glowing or a flame.
In a complete combustion reaction process, an oxidizing
element reacts with a compound, such as fluorine or
oxygen, and the products are compounds of each
element in the fuel with the oxidizing element. example:
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) 2H2O(g)
The standard enthalpy of reaction for methane
combustion at 298.15 K and 1 atm is 802 kJ/mol.[2] A
simple example can be seen in the combustion of
hydrogen and oxygen, this reaction commonly used to
fuel rocket engines:
2H2(g) + O2(g) 2H2O(g)
The result is water vapor, with a standard enthalpy of
reaction at 298.15 K and 1 atm of 242 kJ/mol. A
Complete combustion is impossible to attain. As actual
combustion reactions come to equilibrium condition, a
wide variety of minor and major species will be present,
such as hydrogen carbon monoxide, and even carbon
(ash or soot). Additionally, any combustion at high
temperatures in atmospheric air, which contains 78
percent nitrogen, will creates small amounts of several
nitrogen oxides, commonly referred to NOx.
Combustion does need not always involve oxygen; e.g.,
hydrogen burns with chlorine to form hydrogen chloride
with the liberation of heat and light characteristic of
combustion.
2.2 COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a computerbased simulation method for analyzing fluid flow, heat
transfer, and related phenomena such as chemical
reactions. This project uses CFD for analysis of flow
and heat transfer. Some examples of application areas
are: aerodynamic lift and drag (i.e. airplanes or windmill
wings), power plant combustion, chemical processes,
heating/ventilation, and even biomedical engineering
(simulating blood flow through arteries and veins). CFD
analyses is carried out in the various industries are used
in R&D and manufacture of aircraft, combustion
engines, as well as many other industrial products.

It can be advantageous to use CFD over traditional

experimental-based analyses, whereas experiments cost
is directly proportional to the number of configurations
desired for testing, unlike with CFD, In CFD large
amounts of results can be produced at practically with no
other expense. In this way parametric studies to optimize
equipment are very inexpensive with CFD when
compared to experiments.

2.3 NOX
Nitrogen oxides mainly NO and NO2 is the generic
term for a group of highly reactive gases which contain
nitrogen and oxygen in various amounts and chemical
configuration. Most of the nitrogen oxides are colorless
and odorless. NO2 along with other particles in the air
can often we see as a reddish brown layer of smog over
many cities and in heavily populated areas.

2.3.1 FORMATION OF NOX

Nitrogen oxides are formed when fuel are burnt at high
temperature as in a combustion process. The primary
source of NOX are vehicles, electrical utilities and other
industrial commercial and residential sources like boilers
that burnt fuels.
2.3.2 CAUSES FOR CONCERN OF NOX
When NOX react with oxygen in the air the result is
ground level ozone. Ground level ozone have very
negative effects on the respiratory system such as
causing lung cancer and also effect on agricultural
production.
NOX also react to form nitrate particles and acid aero
holes which all causes respiratory problems nitric acid
form when NOX react with water can cause acid rain and
the deteoriation of the quality of water .

3. CURRENT STATUS OF KNOWLEDGE

P. Gomes The fuel used in an industrial furnance either
liquid or gas is of great importance, It is having a direct
impact on the performance and the equipment working
life and also on pollutants emissions. These factors are
highly depend on the combustion process and the factors
such as flame shape heat flux distribution and
temperature within the furnace. In present work,
numerical simulations were carried out, using finite
volume method, for the purpose of analyzing and
comparing the combustion process inside an aluminum
furnace when operating with two types of fuel: a spray
of liquid oil and a jet of natural gas, both are reacting
with air. The results showed the possible damages that
may be caused by the combustion process if long,
concentrated or too intense flames are present,

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International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 4, Issue 7, July 2015

increasing the heat flux and wall temperatures on the

aluminum surface.

will established some correlations between

computational modeling and physical combustion.

the

Abdulaziz Alsairafi The effect of the fuel temperature

on NOx formation was numerically investigated. For this
purpose CFD modeling of NOx emission in an
experimental furnace equipped with high temperature air
combustion (HiTAC) system was studied. And the
comparison between the predicted results and measured
values have shown good , which signify that the adopted
combustion and NOx formation models are suitable for
predicting the characteristics of the combustion,flow,
heat transfer, and NOx emissions in the HiTAC
chamber. However the predicted results show the
increase of fuel temperature results in increasing velocity
of fluid, better fuel jet mixing with the combustion air,
smaller flame and reduces NOx emission.

5. OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

L. Tognotti An integrated methodology for the

simulation of practical combustion systems and NOx
prediction is given. Which is based on 3D CFD
simulation coupled to a postprocessor which yields
reactor networks, extracted from 3D fields, as
equivalent simplified flow models for which it is
possible to use a detailed reaction kinetics. In this the
study of two glass melting furnaces is presented to
illustrate the methodology. The furnaces were
experimentally characterized, and then CFD simulations
were implemented, by giving the suitable boundary
conditions for the radioactive heat exchange and the submodel for the chemistry. Each CFD simulation, a
chemical reactor network was extracted to perform the
computation of the secondary product combustion
species by complex kinetics mechanism. An evaluation
of the models was given by comparing the
measurements with the temperature of the CFD field and
the NOx prediction. At last finally, an estimate of the
effect of some NOx reducing techniques was given.

Presto model is used:-Presto model is often used for

buoyant flows where velocity vector near walls may not
align with the wall due to assumption of uniform
pressure in the boundary layer sopresto can only be used
with quadrilateral or exhahyderal .K-epsilon tubulence

Our main aim of this study is to establish the correlation

between computational model and physical combustion
process. We are going to study for natural gas
combustion at some standard conditions and then
investigate emissions contains like CO and NOX because
they are very toxic. For NOX emissions we will use
converge model and apply the detailed chemistry
mechanism. With this investigation we can detect the
amount of emissions which is found at exhaust and
minimize the pollutant emissions.

6. METHOD

model is used. P-1 radiation model is used since it is

quicker to run
7. RESULTS
1. Mass fraction for NO is 5.85e-05
2. Mass fraction for NO2 is 7.22e-04
3. Mass fraction for N2O is 7.71e-05
Contours Images:- Mass fraction of N2

4. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
This problem was modeled after the experiments carried
out at the Burner Engineering Research Laboratory
(BERL) as part of a large project (Scaling 400 study) for
combustors ranging in size from 30 KW to 12 MW. The
flow under study is a natural gas flame in a 300 KW
swirl-stabilized burner with a vertically fired furnace. It
has an octagonal cross-section with a conical furnace
hood and a cylindrical exhaust duct. The furnace walls
are refractory-lined or water-cooled. we will provide a
solution for a combustion problem and will apply
detailed chemistry over it. Outcome of this investigation
Fig:- 7.1
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International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 4, Issue 7, July 2015

Mass fraction of NO

Mass fraction of N2O

Fig:- 7.2

Fig:- 7.4

Mass fraction of NO2

Rate of NO

Fig:- 7.5
Fig:- 7.3

8. CONCLUSION

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In this paper we are calculating the percentage

of NOX and there oxides through the
Combustion of Non-premixed Natural gas with
the help of CFD fluent . By considering different
parameters and boundary condition for

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International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET), ISSN 2278 0882
Volume 4, Issue 7, July 2015

simulation on ANSYS fluent. we get the results

of different physical values and contour images.
In this study we are able to find out the
percentage of NOX which will help to reduce the
formation of smog and acidic rain.
With the help of this study we can calculate or
finding out the combustion efficiency under
which we will improve the safety, maintenance
and environmental efficiency..

9. FUTURE SCOPE
With the help of this study we can reduce the NOX
percentage by different method. We can calculate
true NOX ( NO and NO2 ).
Different methods of NOX reduction are
1. Catalytic convertor
2. Flue gases recirculation
3. Reducing O2 level
4. Low NOX burners
5. Water or steam injection method
6. SCR method ( selective catalytic convertor )
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