Following on from the modifications to FOSPER (furnace #1) to enable oxy-fuel combustion tests, and reported in MNM 42, during December 2009 a new programme commenced.  Its purpose: commissioning new oxy-firing capability with natural gas and coal combustion in air and oxy-firing conditions.  A report on the natural gas trials is in preparation and will be published before the end of January.

Next week, new trials will be starting on coal in a low NOx burner, comparing air and oxy-firing behaviour of the flames in the furnace and the process variables.  Oxy-fuel technology is a very promising route to Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), as discussed in TOTeM 31 “Oxy-Combustion technologies and applications” which took place in Pisa at the end of last year. IFRF Members may peruse the presentations and the meeting conclusions at http://www.trends.ifrf.net/trends/project.html?pid=22

Runs will also recommence on the rebuilt and recommissioned Isothermal Plug Flow Reactor, providing new data on solid fuel characteristics in different conditions, including CO2-rich atmospheres.  (It is expected that the EFRI programme referred to in last week’s MNM will provide the opportunity for benchmarking activity on this kind of test.)

To enable Members to attend and/or participate in upcoming trials we will shortly publish a planning report on the experimental activity programmed for this year in Livorno.

Parallel with ongoing experimental activity, the working groups on CFD validation (V&V) and the Solid Fuel Database which were launched in Munich last June will set to work – initially by means of dedicated web site forums which have been created in the interim and are currently in testing phase.  The V&V  initiative will also be boosted by the publication in February of two reports on validation criteria in combustion modelling.

The objectives for 2009 also include redeveloping in-flame probe capabilities, adding new capabilities and assessing uncertainties in measurements, including modelling approaches for evaluating probe accuracy and reliability.  As regards planning for 2010/11, at the most recent meeting of the IFRF Executive Committee, it was agreed that any recommendations would be based on a thorough study of the European SET plan and the Japanese and US equivalents.

Upcoming issues of the Monday Night mail will carry further details.