Staged combustion has been accepted as an effective way to reduce NOx emiss
ion. Based on the comparison of calculated results using Miller and Bowman'
s (1989, Progr. Energy Combust. Sci. 15, 287) detailed elementary reaction
model with experimental data, it is found effective to apply this model in
the simulation of NO formation and destruction during staged combustion. Se
nsitivity analysis shows that C, CH, CH2 and HCCO play an important role in
NO destruction and reduction under fuel staging. NO generated in the prima
ry zone can be reduced greatly by staged combustion. Besides the air-fuel r
atio in the primary combustion zone, the combustion temperature in the rebu
rning zone and the mass factor of the reburning fuel in the overall fuel, t
he main factors which affect NO destruction and reduction are the position
where reburning is introduced and the types of reburning fuel. It is found
that reburning cannot be introduced too close to the primary combustion zon
e. The reburning fuels that can effectively stimulate NO to HCN are H-2 and
C2H4. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.