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On the Formation of Nitrogen Oxides During the Combustion of ...

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2.2 Theory <strong>of</strong> Exhaust Gas <strong>Formation</strong><br />

2.2.4 Particulate Matter<br />

The term “particulate matter” (PM) refers to any substance, except pure water,<br />

that exists as a liquid or solid in <strong>the</strong> atmosphere and is <strong>of</strong> microscopic or<br />

submicroscopic size but has larger dimensions than molecules. Particulate<br />

matter may not only result from <strong>the</strong> direct emission <strong>of</strong> particles but also from<br />

condensation processes or chemical transformation. In order to provide a full<br />

description <strong>of</strong> PM, it is essential to specify <strong>the</strong> particle concentration, size,<br />

chemical composition, state <strong>of</strong> phase, and morphology [391].<br />

<strong>Combustion</strong>-generated particulates mainly consist <strong>of</strong> carbon and have an empirical<br />

formula <strong>of</strong> approximately C 8 H [19]. These carbonaceous particulates<br />

are generally formed in gas-phase processes and referred to as soot. Those<br />

that are a product <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pyrolysis <strong>of</strong> liquid hydrocarbon fuels are commonly<br />

termed coke or cenospheres. The main constituents <strong>of</strong> soot are carbon and<br />

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [148, 149]. In particular, <strong>the</strong> fractions<br />

containing PAHs were demonstrated to be carcinogenic and even mutagenic<br />

[96, 257, 391]. In premixed combustion, emissions <strong>of</strong> particulate matter<br />

mainly result from fuel additives or rich operation, with <strong>the</strong> latter usually<br />

stemming from some type <strong>of</strong> malfunction [443]. In diffusion flames, <strong>the</strong> flame<br />

luminosity gives an approximate impression <strong>of</strong> soot distribution. The maximum<br />

concentration occurs where <strong>the</strong> rate <strong>of</strong> particulate formation equals <strong>the</strong><br />

rate <strong>of</strong> its oxidation. Since <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> carbon particulates increases <strong>the</strong><br />

radiative power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flame and, thus, <strong>the</strong> heat transfer rates, it can be beneficial<br />

to operate an industrial system in a particular diffusion flame mode with<br />

an enhanced formation <strong>of</strong> carbon particles [62, 174, 455]. Despite <strong>the</strong> complex<br />

chemistry and physics <strong>of</strong> soot formation in diffusion flames, Turns [443]<br />

summarizes <strong>the</strong> process by a four-step sequence:<br />

• <strong>Formation</strong> <strong>of</strong> precursor species<br />

• Particle inception<br />

• Surface growth and particle agglomeration<br />

• Particle oxidation<br />

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