Influence of fuel composition on the MILD combustion reaction zone structure in a JHC burner

Abstract

The spatial distribution of OH, formaldehyde (H2CO) and temperature are imaged using laser diagnostic techniques. The measurements are of various nonpremixed hydrogen-diluted hydrocarbon fuels in a hot and highly diluted coflow using the Jet in Hot Coflow (JHC) burner. These conditions emulate those of Moderate or Intense Low Oxygen Dilution (MILD) combustion. Under the hot and diluted conditions it is found that the fuel type does not have a significant effect on the reaction zone structure. The OH and temperature remain quite constant for the different fuels considered. The similarity of the reaction zone is also supported by laminar flame calculations. The independence of the reaction zone structure suggests that a wide variety of fuels may be useable for achieving MILD combustion.