Combustion Catalysts in Industry - An Update

Combustion catalysts improve boiler efficiency by extracting more heat energy from the fuel and by reducing heat losses when operating at minimum excess air. In addition, an effective combustion catalyst may reduce the level of smoke and solid combustibles in the refuse and help a plant attain emissions compliance requirements that are not always achieved with pollution-control equipment. Combustion catalysts promote the combustion process by lowering the ignition temperature of the fuel, allowing for a longer burn time, or increasing the rate of combustion. Laboratory testing and field studies have shown that ignition temperature reductions alone are not sufficient criteria for combustion catalyst effectiveness. Current technology and beneficial applications of combustion catalysts for coal are presented. Combustion efficiency and calculations are discussed, followed by an explanation of the theories of combustion catalysis and a review of three case histories