A. Melina Jefferson, Darcy J. Corbin, Matthew R. Johnson, Energy and Emissions Research Laboratory, Carleton University
May, 2016
Abstract
Emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx, sum of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) were measured from turbulent non-premixed flames of pure propane and methane, and an alkane mixture of C1-C4. Results were compared with currently accessible emission factors and source data from governmental agencies in Canada, the United States, South America, and Europe. The linear relationship between NOx emissions and mass, volume, and energy content of flare gas inherently assumed in available emission factors generally matched the trends in the current data, but variations in fuel composition could lead to an underestimation of emissions. NOx emissions were underestimated by up to 24% from methane flames when using a massbased emission factor, by up to 54% from propane flames using a volume-based factor, and by up to 12% for methane flames using a heat-release-based factor. A theoretical non-linear relationship between NOx emission and volume flow rate parameters from the literature was examined and found to perform no better than the linear relations of current emission factors. A significant expansion of experimental data and conditions is required to fully comprehend the complexities of NOx formation in non-premixed turbulent flames, and to the develop a robust NOx emissions models necessary for gas flares used in the energy industry.
# 15-ARPC-05