Tuning Flame’s Temperature Zone Distribution Through Controlled Particle Geometry Variations During Non-Premixed Biomass Combustion

Biomass combustion flame plays a vital role in depicting combustion behavior and has been used to determine contaminants and emissions. Flame dynamics, which depend on biomass particles, are highly affected by their geometry. Extensive studies have reported the effect of particle geometry on combustion behavior; however, they lack an effect on flame dynamics and the intersegmental temperature regions. The research is almost negligible while considering flame’s intersegmental temperature regional variation for cluster biomass particle geometry with varying physical geometries. The present work, therefore, used a previously reported and verified computer vision algorithm to extensively examine the effects of particle physical variations on flame dynamics, particularly intersegmental variations. Clustered combustion of cubical, cuboidal, cylindrical, and spherical biomass particles with different aspect ratios is studied, with uniform biomass type and moisture content. The computer vision algorithm divided the flaming region into 200–300, 301–400, 401–500, 501–600, 601–700, 701–800, 801–900, and 901–1000°C segments. Analysis shows that cubical particles have lower ignition delays and the highest flame areas of 9197.90, 8791.80, and 5738.30 mm2 at 300, 600, and 900 seconds, respectively. However, the flame area-to-particle volume ratio is highest for smaller spherical particles, with the highest area occurring at 200–300°C, indicating the highest volatile release rate. Moreover, flame area peaks for smaller spherical particles are very short in duration and are therefore best suited for high-power delivery. The study, therefore, demonstrated extensive particle-dependent flame behavior that could be further optimized during biomass pulverization.