Novaflam Burner

In 2008 Pillard tried a new and simpler burner concept at Holcim Lumbres plant in France. It is
based on axial air channel with fixed nozzles and swirl air channel whose angle is adjustable. The
primary air is led to the burner tip in one common channel and then split into axial and swirl
directly at the tip.

This “Novaflam” burner has the following specific features:

Tip:

• Axial air nozzles that are arranged in pairs.

• The swirl air body has a groove with progressively decreasing angle towards the tip, therefore

the swirl angle can be adjusted by moving the swirl air body backwards. The adjustment can

be made from 5-35°.

• The coal channel is slightly divergent (5-10°).

• Natural gas can be fired through one additional nozzle ring (10° swirl) between the swirl air

channel and central plate

• The central plate (stabilizer) is perforated with small holes and cooled with central air

• The central plate can contain several tubes for burner auxiliaries or AFR. For better AFR

distribution (swirl) in the flame a “blowing-device” is offered

Primary air supply and connections:

• Since the axial and radial air is conveyed to the tip in one common channel only one primary

air fan or blower is required

• Part of the air is split off at the back of the burner for central air (stabilizer plate)

• There is one butterfly damper in the common axial/swirl air inlet and one damper for the

central air

• The swirl air angle can be adjusted with a wheel at the back of the burner

• The burner carriage can be either floor mounted or suspended

The combustion efficiency of the Novaflam burner is very good. Furthermore the adjustments on

this burner are much simpler than with the Rotaflam. The operators can vary the primary air flow

and pressure to influence the strength of the flame. The swirl angle adjustment is used to change

the width and length of the flame. In Lumbres plant the burner has proven to be capable of

running with high AFR substitution rates of 60% TSR. This was achieved with lower amounts of

primary air (10-12%) and lower pressures (180-240 mbar) than typically required. Currently five

Novaflam burners are installed and operating in Holcim plants. They perform well and the plant

people are very satisfied.

Burner momentum 6-10 N/MW

Axial/swirl air ratio* 65/35 – 55/45

Primary air pressure 180 – 300 mbar

Primary air amount 10 – 15 %

*Defined by the open cross-sections of the axial and radial tip, which is specified by Pillard.