Effect of various gas compositions on gas interchangeability and combustion characteristics for domestic appliances

In this study, an investigation into the gas interchangeability and combustion characteristics of various gas compositions for domestic appliances was performed. In order to suggest the appropriateness of gas interchangeability using the specific gravity (SG) and the Wobbe index (WI) values, combustion characteristics included incomplete combustion and flame lifting were measured and observed for the upper and lower limits using the gas-oven as a domestic partial-premixed type appliance and the condensing boiler as a domestic premixed type appliance. The flame was stable, and the CO and NO_x concentrations increased when the WI and SG values increased. Specifically, the behavior of the flame lifting changed between WI values of 52. 0 MJ/Nm³ and 53. 0 MJ/Nm³. The CO and NO_x concentrations of the reference gas were approximately 173 ppm and 74 ppm for the gas-oven and 175 ppm and 35 ppm for the boiler, respectively. Consequently, a WI value of 53. 0 MJ/Nm³ can be considered the flame lifting limit as the lower limit for gas interchangeability. For the upper limit of gas interchangeability, the CO and NO_x concentrations varied significantly with the type of burner.