Potential Utilization of Nigerian Heavy Oil as Burner Fuel: A Case Study of Combustion Characteristics of Agbabu Heavy Oil

摘要

The potential substitution of Nigerian heavy oil resource (Agbabu bitumen) for boiler fuel is presently being investigated. Combustion of 70-30% (wt/wt) heavy oil-kerosene blend, 70-30% (wt/wt) of heavy oil-diesel blend, and 50-50% (wt/wt) heavy oil-low pour fuel oil blend resulted in flame temperatures of 1240, 1220, and 1220 degrees C, at flammability limits of 0.33-0.52, 0.40-0.60, and 0.45-0.60 air-fuel ratio, respectively. In comparison, combustion of 100% diesel and 100% low pour fuel oil, under similar conditions, generated flame temperatures of 1235 and 1238 degrees C, respectively. The above results for heavy oil/distillate blends clearly suggest a facile application as boiler fuel.