Steam atomization

Oil-, gas- and dual-fired boilers are available with a range of combustion appliances. The smaller units have pressure jet-type burners with a turndown of about 2 1 while larger boilers may have rotary cup, medium pressure air (MPA) or steam-atomizing burners producing a turndown ratio of between 3 1 and 5 1, depending upon size and fuel. The majority has rotary cup-type burners, while steam- or air-atomizing burners are used where it is essential that the burner firing is not interrupted even for the shortest period. 

Using pressurized steam or air (air-steam atomizing burner)... 

Steam Atomization Coarse Carbon-, low-alloy-, stainless steels, Co-, Ni-base superallovs 103 — — Between gas and water atomization Irregular particle shape... 

Acid sludge Cone and flat-flame type burners, steam-atomized 10-15... 

Liquid fuel burner using pressure steam atomization. 

Steam or Air Atomizers. Steam atomizers are the most widely used. In general they operate on the principle of producing a steam-fuel emulsion which, when released into the furnace, atomizes the oil through the rapid expansion of the steam. The atomizing steam must be dry because entrained moisture causes pulsations which can lead to loss of ignition. Where steam is not available, moisture-free compressed air can be substituted. 

Steam atomizers are available in sizes up to 300 x 10 Btu/h input—about 16,500 lb (7500 kg) of oil per hour. Oil pressure is much lower than that required for mechanical atomizers. Maximum oil pressure can be as much as 300 Ib/in (2040 kPa) and maximum steam pressure 150 Ib/in (1020 kPa). The steam atomizer performs more efficiently over a wider load range than other types. It normally atomizes the fuel properly down to 20 percent of rated capacity. 

A disadvantage of the steam atomizer is its consumption of steam. A good steam atomizer can operate with a steam consumption as low as 0.02 lb of steam per pound of fuel oil at maximum atomizer capacity. 

A 1 barrel/day (159 L/day) pilot plant has been constructed and operated for ultrapyrolysis of steam atomized Alberta heavy oil. Successful results have been obtained and an upgraded oil of reduced viscosity (280 mPa s at 25 °C) has been produced. 

Dollezhal, N.A., Aleshchenkov, P.I., Bulankov, Yu.V., Knyazeva, G.D., 1971. Construction of uranium-graphite channel-type reactors with tubular fuel elements and nuclear-reheated steam. Atomic Energy (AxoMHaa Dneprua, crp. 149—155) 30 (2), 177—182. 

The Burning of Oil Fuels. Although steam-atomizing burners a e... 

---