Emission Characteristics of Ultra-Fine Particulate Matter (PM < 0.1 mu m) from Red-Heated Metal Fiber Flame Burners

Abstract

Generation and emission of particulate matter (PM) from methane-air premixed flame burners were investigated experimentally. Three types of burner surfaces were employed; i.e., a metal fiber, a perforated plate, and a sintered mat. In addition to NOx emission, the total weight and number distribution of PM were measured with the variation of the total flow rate and equivalence ratio. Usually, emission of NOx and PM increased as the total flow rate became larger and the equivalence ratio approached to stoichiometry from the fuel-lean conditions. Conclusively, even in the case of large NOx emission (100 ppm), the total mass of PM10 and PM2.5 were acceptable. However, the number of ultra-fine particles (<0.1 mu m) significantly increased when the flow rate was excessively small and flame could heat up burner surfaces. It was suggested that an additional regulation for the ultra-fine dust would be necessary if premixed burners are operated at excessively low flow rate with surface heating.