Numerical evaluation of pulverized coal swirling flames and NOx emissions in a coal-fired boiler: Effects of co- and counter-swirling flames and coal injection modes

A numerical evaluation was performed to investigate the effects of swirl arrangement (co-swirling and counter-swirling flows) and coal injection mode (non-, fully-, and partially-premixed with swirling flow) on the flame structure, coal particle uniformity, burnout performance, and nitrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions in a 16-kW th coal-fired boiler. The co-swirling flame exhibits a tulip-shaped inner recirculation zone (IRZ), which increases the coal particle residence time: 1.61 s and 1.45 s for co-swirling and counter-swirling flames, respectively. In addition, the high uniformity of coal particles is maintained in all horizontal cross-sections. The total amount of NO x emissions at the boiler outlet are 205.0 and 551.2 ppm (@6% O 2 ) for the co-swirling and counter-swirling flames, respectively; the deNO x efficiency is 62.8%. An exhaust tube vortex (ETV) structure with a tulip-shaped IRZ is observed in the non-premixed swirling flame injection mode; however, the ETV structure is not observed in the other injection modes. The ETV structure enhanced the coal particle uniformity and expanded the reaction zone, consequently reducing the area of the local high-temperature region. Although the non-premixed injection mode has a slightly lower burnout performance than other injection modes, it is determined to be more effective in reducing the total amount of NO x emissions. • Numerical evaluation of pulverized coal swirling flames is performed. • Effects of co- and counter-swirling flames and coal injection modes are evaluated. • DeNO x efficiency with the co-swirling flame improved by 62.8%. • Non-premixed with swirling flow is effective for reducing total NO x emission. • ETV is important for enhancing uniformity and expanding reaction zone.