Optimization of a swirl burner with universal low-load stable combustion technology: Investigating flow characteristics, combustion performance, and fuel adaptability

Xiuyi Wu, Chunchao Huang, Zhengqi Li, Huacai Liu, Hongyou Yuan, Weizhen Li, Whenshen Yang, Bin Xu and Xiuli Yin

Energy, 2025, vol. 330, issue C

Abstract: Stable combustion under ultra-low loads is crucial for deep peak-shaving in coal-fired power plants but remains technically challenging. To overcome common problems such as ignition delay, nozzle overheating, and excessive NOx emissions, a novel universal low-load stable combustion technology is proposed, combining laboratory-scale gas-particle experiments and full-scale combustion simulations. A systematic comparison was conducted among a prototype burner (OPCC) and two optimized configurations (GOPCC and GIPCC) under ultra-low-load conditions. Structural optimizations involving gap air introduction markedly strengthened internal recirculation and mixing, elevating the reflux ratio from less than 36 % in OPCC to over 60 % in GOPCC and GIPCC, and increasing swirl number from 11.14 (OPCC) to 16.61 (GOPCC) and 14.92 (GIPCC). This enhanced mixing accelerated primary-air velocity decay, moving ignition positions significantly upstream (from 2.5 m in OPCC to 0.15 m in GOPCC and 1.2 m in GIPCC). Moreover, optimized burners developed a concentrated and uniform flame structure, effectively shifting the high-temperature region away from the nozzle to mitigate overheating risks. When burning lean coal, GOPCC maintained stable combustion with NOx emissions below 40 mg m−3 in the central recirculation zone. These results offer a cost-effective, wide-load-adaptable solution to achieve stable deep peak-shaving across various coal grades.

Keywords: Swirl burner; Gas-particle flow characteristics; Low-load combustion; CFD simulation; Lean coal adaptation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:330:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225025307

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.136888

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