Evaluation of Oxyfuel Combustion Systems for Enhanced Efficiency and Emission Reduction in Launder Heating Applications

This study delves into the evaluation of oxyfuel combustion systems for enhanced efficiency and emission reduction in launder heating applications, particularly in the context of copper smelting. The research compares the performance of oxyfuel burners against conventional air-fuel burners, focusing on heating rates, temperature distribution, and NOx emissions. The experimental setup involved four launder troughs instrumented with thermocouples to measure temperature profiles. Various burner configurations, including single and multiple J-burner setups with staging, were tested. The results demonstrated that oxyfuel burners provided faster heating rates, more uniform temperature distribution, and significantly lower NOx emissions. Numerical simulations were employed to estimate heat transfer phenomena and burner effectiveness, further validating the experimental findings. The study concludes that oxyfuel burners, especially with staged combustion, offer superior performance and environmental benefits, making them a viable alternative to traditional air-fuel systems in launder heating applications.