The Effect of Fuel Feed Rate and Air Flow Rate on Combustion Performance Fixed Bed Furnace

This research is motivated by the weakness of furnace combustion, resulting in incomplete combustion due to a non-optimal fuel-air ratio and short residence time. Therefore, this research aims to obtain the fuel feed and airflow rate that results from incomplete combustion. The investigation describes the effect of the fuel feed and airflow rates on the combustion performance of a fixed bed furnace as a drying heat energy source. Furnace efficiency measurements were carried out at various husk feed and airflow rates. Additionally, this research was conducted at three speeds of husk feed rate, namely 12, 15, and 18 kg/hour, and five airflow rates, namely 86.4, 120.96, 114.84, 108, and 154.8 kg/hour. The optimum treatment was obtained at a feed rate of husk 15 kg/hour and an airflow rate of 114.84 kg/hour with furnace efficiency of 73.99%; the heat generated is 41.55 kW, and % ash/char produced is 17.89%. Subsequently, the flue gas temperature varied from 99.78 to 474.23 degrees C at various husk feed and airflow rates. The exhaust gas analysis shows maximum heat release occurs when the furnace is supplied with 100% of the excess air required for complete combustion.