Optimization of Swirling Flames of Methanol Burners in Industrial Furnaces Based on CFD

DU Huiyong; REN Jiayi; LI Ke; LI Min; ZOU Li; WEI Dongshuo

doi:10.15926/j.cnki.issn1672-6871.2025.05.001

Abstract：In order to improve the combustion efficiency of methanol swirl burners and reduce NO emissions,the combustion state and NO emissions of methanol swirl burners were investigated through numerical simulation.The results were compared and optimized with experimental data.A laser particle size analyzer was used to examine the atomization effect and droplet size distribution of methanol spray.This provided the spray size parameters for the discrete phase model of methanol droplets in the numerical simulation.The results show that the simulated spray size closely matches the experimental data.The study focuses on analyzing the effects of different blade angles on velocity distribution,temperature distribution,and NO mass concentration in the combustion chamber.The results indicate that as the blade angle increases,axial velocity of the gas mixture is suppressed.Stable recirculation zones are formed in the combustion chamber at blade angles of α=40° andα=60°,significantly improving the mixing of methanol and air.Regarding temperature distribution,under small blade angles,high-temperature zones are concentrated but relatively low in temperature,with noticeable low-temperature regions at the bottom.Under large blade angles,high-temperature zones expand,temperature increases significantly,and bottom temperature uniformity improves.Combustion efficiency improves as blade angle increases,but the improvement weakens when the angle exceeds 40°.NO generation concentration in the combustion chamber and at the outlet rises with increasing blade angles.The swirl vane angle significantly affects velocity,temperature,NO distribution,and combustion efficiency in the combustion chamber.The optimal performance is achieved at α=40°.