Effect of an alternating electric field on the polluting emission from propane flame.

I. Ukradiga - D. Turlajs - M. Purmals - I. Barmina - M. Zake

Riga Technical University, Riga, LV-1014, Latvia } {Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, Salaspils-1, LV-2169, Latvia

Abstract
The experimental investigations of the AC field effect on the propane combustion and processes that cause the formation of polluting emissions (NO_x, CO, CO₂) are performed. The AC-enhanced variations of the temperature and composition of polluting emissions are studied for the fuel-rich and fuel-lean conditions of the flame core. The results show that the AC field-enhanced mixing of the fuel-rich core with the surrounding air coflow enhances the propane combustion with increase in the mass fraction of NO_x and CO₂ in the products. The reverse field effect on the composition of polluting emissions is observed under the fuel-lean conditions in the flame core. The field-enhanced CO₂ destruction is registered when the applied voltage increase. The destruction of CO₂ leads to a correlating increase in the mass fraction of CO in the products and enhances the process of NO_x formation within the limit of the fuel lean and low temperature combustion. Figs 11, Refs 18.