THE RELEASE OF NITROGEN-OXIDES DURING CHAR COMBUSTION

The release of nitrogen oxides during coal combustion has a major envi ronmental impact. In low-NOx burners and fluidized bed combustors the char nitrogen is the major contributor to nitrogen oxide emissions. In this review the release of nitrogen oxides during the combustion of c hars is considered in relation to coal and char structural characteris tics. The changes in the nitrogen functionality during the conversion of coal nitrogen to char nitrogen are discussed in detail. The results available in the literature relating nitrogen oxide emissions to coal and char properties are discussed in terms of the mechanisms for prod uction of nitrogen oxides and their reduction in the pores or on the s urface of the char. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.