The Development of a Catalytic Combustor for Natural Gas

摘要

This study is concerned with two approaches to the subject of catalytic combustion. In the first part ignition and combustion characteristics of fuel/air mixtures over platinum group metal gauzes were experimentally studied using a small well insulated reactor. Modelling of these catalysts using SURFACE CHEMKIN was undertaken and showed good agreement with experimental results, emphasising the importance of a secondary homogeneous region to ensure complete fuel oxidation. The findings of this initial work were applied to a second approach, with the aim of developing a practical catalytic combustion system. Lean mixtures of fuel and air were heated and passed through a number of ceramic monoliths, coated with different loadings of catalyst. The catalytic combustor had a typical operating temperature range of between 900-1000°Cat high radiant and combustion efficiencies. Emissions of carbon monoxide, NO{sub}x and methane were 100 ppm, < 10 ppm and < 1 ppm respectively when operating at steady state.