A graphical user interface for calculating exergy destruction for combustion reactions

Abstract

The combustion of fuels has been studied by many researchers as it is used in a wide range of engineering applications. The chemical equilibrium approach served as the foundation for the investigation of combustion reactions. This article presents a software application designed to facilitate the calculation of combustion processes by calculating the combustion of 16 fuels among the common alkanes (CnH2n+2) and alcohols (CnH2n+1OH). The Ozan Combustion Calculator (OCC) offers a user-friendly and efficient graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to easily input data and obtain results. The program was developed using MATLAB 2021a and LaTeX software, ensuring its reliability and accuracy. To perform these calculations, the program utilizes calculations of the thermophysical properties of fuels and water obtained from tables. The program consists of five modules, each serving a specific purpose. These modules calculate various parameters, such as the Adiabatic Flame Temperature, Exergy of Combustion with Dry Air, Exergy of Combustion with Moist Air, Energy of Combustion with Dry Air, and Energy of Combustion with Moist Air. Additionally, the program can be used to investigate the impact of relative humidity on the adiabatic flame temperature and exergy destruction. The results obtained from the calculations reveal that the adiabatic flame temperature exhibits a linear decrease as the relative humidity increases. On the other hand, exergy destruction demonstrates a quadratic increase with higher relative humidity values. The program derives mathematical relationships for the adiabatic flame temperature and exergy destruction with respect to relative humidity values, with a high regression coefficient (r2=0.999). The versatility of OCC makes it suitable for various applications. It can be utilized in university settings for both undergraduate- and graduate-level courses, providing students with a practical tool for studying combustion processes. Additionally, it finds applications in industrial settings for the design and optimization of combustors, gas turbines, and burners. The user-friendly interface and accurate calculations make OCC a valuable resource in the field of combustion engineering.