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Question no. 9525

Secondary combustion air serves the function of ______________________?

Select your answer for: Secondary combustion air serves the function of ______________________?
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Answer: B. Completely burn the volatile matter

Explanation

Secondary combustion air is introduced downstream to provide the extra oxygen needed for complete combustion. Volatile matter released from solid fuels requires this additional oxygen to burn completely and cleanly. Without secondary air, volatile hydrocarbons would escape unburned as black smoke and soot. Primary air flows through the solid fuel bed, while secondary air is injected into the freeboard above the bed. Volatile matter consists of complex hydrocarbons that vaporize rapidly when coal is heated in a furnace. Staged air introduction helps control nitrogen oxide emissions and ensures thorough high-temperature burnout.

Industrial boiler designers carefully size secondary air ports to achieve turbulent mixing with furnace gases. Proper secondary combustion air management eliminates smoke emissions and maximizes overall boiler efficiency. Operators adjust secondary dampers in response to changes in fuel quality and volatile release rates. Option A describes primary air or conveying systems used to transport pulverized coal through pipes. Option C refers to primary air passing through the grate to burn lumpy solid coal pieces. Option D is incorrect because option B accurately specifies the primary function of secondary air.

Subject
Engineering
Topic
—
Difficulty
medium

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