REDUCTION OF COMBUSTION-GENERATED POLLUTION - PROCESS MODIFICATIONS AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT POWER CYCLES

Theoretical bases of combustion process modifications aimed at the red uction of pollutant emission are examined. It is shown, as an example, of how the minimization of emissions of nitrogen oxides leads to a de sign protocol that translates results of modeling and of bench scale e xperiments into guidelines for industrial design. The formation and em ission of polycyclic aromatic compounds is also considered, because th eir formation is strongly favored in ''low NOx flames''. In power gene ration the pollutant emission can be reduced effectively by the improv ement of the ''heat rate,'' i.e., the thermodynamic efficiency of the power cycle. Combined gas turbine-steam cycles which have strong poten tial for high thermal efficiency may, however, present new challenges to combustion research. Technology responses to such problems are disc ussed.