Flameless Oxyfuel Combustion for Production and Recycling of Non-Ferrous Metals

Dr.-Ing. Thomas Niehoff

Oxyfuel flames are known for their bright colour and hot combustion temperatures. The combustion process without nitrogen has an intense and sharp flame. When burning fuel with air the nitrogen content of air (ca. 78 vol.-%) cools and dilutes the flame and combustion reactions. Nitrogen does not take part in the combustion reactions, but enters the combustion as a cold gas and leaves it at higher temperatures. Oxyfuel flames can be above 2300 °C and air fuel flames are typically in the range of 1700 °C (non-adiabatic). The heating and melting of nonferrous metals must be energy efficient and low in emissions. This paper will describe the features of flameless oxyfuel combustion and how they impact the production of non-ferrous metals.