Improving used Lubricant Oil Burner Performance: Effect of Swirled Flow of Internally Distributor Type on the Combustion and Flue Gas Temperature and Emission

Abstract

This study aimed to experimentally investigate the combustion characteristics of used lubricant oil (ULO). A simple cylindrical burner of the natural draft vaporizing type, equipped with an internal air distributor, was designed and fabricated to achieve this objective. The burner’s efficiency was evaluated based on combustion temperature, flue gas temperature, and concentration levels. The key feature of this burner lies in the swirled flow of air combustion and ULO vapor within the combustion chamber, facilitated by the swirled flow air distributor type. Various air-fuel ratios (ϕ), ranging from 0.5 to 4, were considered in characterizing the burner’s performance. The results revealed increased combustion and flue gas temperatures in the radial airflow types. The highest temperatures achieved using the radial flow type are 930 ^oC and 410 ^oC for combustion and exhaust gas temperature, respectively. In contrast, the combustion chamber and exhaust gas temperatures are 980 ^oC and 465 ^oC for the swirled flow type, respectively. It was found that there is a decrease in the emission of CO and CO₂ by volume under optimum conditions. This decrement was attributed to the swirled flow effects, which promoted a better mixture of air combustion and ULO vapor during combustion.