FLUE GAS RECIRCULATION AS A WAY TO IMPROVE THERMAL EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE EMISSIONS IN POWER BOILERS

This study investigates the impact of flue gas recirculation on key parameters of the fuel combustion process, such as heat release and adiabatic combustion temperature. Based on the mathematical processing of experimental data, equations were obtained that reflect the dependence of useful heat release and adiabatic combustion temperature on the gas recirculation coefficient. According to the results of the study, the useful heat release in the furnace increases proportionally with the growth of the recirculation coefficient. This indicates that an increase in the level of recirculation contributes to an increase in combustion thermal efficiency, improving heat exchange processes within the furnace. A similar trend is observed for the adiabatic combustion temperature. It was found that the adiabatic combustion temperature also increases with an increase in the recirculation coefficient, which indicates the significant influence of recirculation on raising the temperature parameters of the combustion process. The rise in combustion temperature is associated with improved fuel combustion and more complete utilization of its energy potential. This, in turn, can contribute to a reduction in emissions of harmful substances such as nitrogen oxides and carbon, which is an important factor for environmental safety. Thus, the results of the study demonstrate that flue gas recirculation has a significant impact on heat exchange processes and combustion temperature. This makes recirculation an effective tool for increasing thermal efficiency and reducing the environmental impact. The application of this method in modern energy systems not only improves production performance but also ensures compliance with environmental requirements. The study results confirm the feasibility of implementing flue gas recirculation to enhance overall efficiency and environmental safety in energy installations.