Experimental investigation of the effects of altitude on the performance of a non-sprayed porous burner

A self-sustained burner was built for diesel oil without an atomizer using metal fiber felt as an evaporator. The effects of firing rate, excess air coefficient, and altitude on the temperature distribution, NOx emission, and CO emission were studied. The results indicated that fuel evaporation and combustion inside the burner are significantly influenced by the altitude. The overall temperature distribution inside the burner first decreased and then increased with the increase in altitude. The main reasons for the formation of NOx are the local high temperature during start-up and the high temperature after flame stabilization. The NOx emission initially decreased and then increased with the increase in altitude. The NOx emission is the lowest at an altitude of 1700 m and reaches its maximum value at an altitude of 4780 m. The main cause of CO generation is incomplete combustion during the start-up process. The CO emission decreased with the increase in the excess air coefficient at the same altitude. Less CO is produced with the increase in altitude at the same firing rate and excess air coefficient.