Effects of NO Models on the Prediction of NO Formation in a Regenerative Furnace

A study of the effects of nitric oxide (NO) models on the prediction of NO formation in a gas-fired regenerative furnace with highly preheated air was undertaken. Three chemical kinetic processes for NO formation/depletion, i.e., thermal NO, prompt NO, and NO reburning, are included. In the thermal NO model, the sensitivity encountered when using two different approaches, namely the equilibrium approach and the partial equilibrium approach, for determining the O radical concentration was studied. The effects of the third reaction in the thermal NO mechanism, NO reduction (reburning) mechanism, and different types of probability density functions (PDFs) on the NO predictions have also been tested. The sensitivity of the excess air ratio on the NO generation rate in the furnace has been investigated. Finally, the impact of the temperature on the NO formation rate in the regenerative furnace was discussed. [S0195-0738(00)00304-6]