Thermal Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide in Flue Gas

Abstract

An ideal mixed-flow model was developed for the high-temperature oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in an afterburner chamber. The extent of the oxidation with flue gas containing oxygen and water vapor was investigated as a function of the relative throughput, gas density, and total reaction rate. Steady-state measurements of CO, O₂, CO₂, and water concentrations were conducted in a pilot-plant refractory afterburner fitted with a natural gas burner. The total burnout reaction is assumed to be first-order in carbon monoxide and of the orders 0.5 for oxygen and water vapor. The numerical solutions of the model equations outline the potentials and limitations of the performance of a well-mixed afterburner chamber (reactor) under realistic operation conditions.