Influences of vanadium compound on burning characteristics of emulsified marine fuel oil C

Vanadium is one of the most significant trace elements in heavy fuel oils. While most previous studies emphasize its effects on the high-temperature corrosion of power-plant materials, the understanding of the basic combustion characteristics influenced by the vanadium content in fuel oils is still rather limited. The influences of the controlling factors, such as water-to-oil ratio, amount of emulsifying agent, and content of vanadium pentoxide on the burning characteristics of marine heavy No.6 fuel oil are thus investigated in this experimental study by using a suspended droplet approach. It is shown that the ignition delay, degree of micro-explosion, burning time, and flame length are affected by those factors to various extents. Increase of the water-to-oil ratio might enhance the micro-explosion phenomenon while the addition of an appropriate amount of the emulsifying agent Span-80 promotes the homogeneity of micro-water-droplets over their oil base, leading to alterations of the heated droplet characteristics of the emulsions; However, the existence of V2O5 in a fuel oil would result in deterioration of burning quality. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.