Propane Combustion Exhaust to Outside - Emissions

[Fyokou]

Greetings,

I'm trying to find a reference/rule of thumb to determine how much CO2 and/or CO is formed after propane combustion in heating coils (in Air Handlers and Unit Heaters). An example of a unit heater I am using is Modine Model PTS. This is for my list of emissions into the environment. So far my only luck is wikipedia "Greenhouse gas emissions factors for propane are 62.7 kg CO2/ mBTU" but has no citation reference.

I have been asking HVAC Vendors with no luck so far.

Could someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Fyokou

 

[Lou Scannon]

The CO2 formation will consume nearly 100% of the carbon from the fuel molecules, assuming excess air and efficient combustion. Therefore it is easy to estimate, from the fuel consumption.
The CO formation is much trickier to determine. I would recommend using published data from the equipment supplier or industry norms, if available; otherwise I would suggest measuring the CO concentration in the exhaust under real world conditions, using suitable measuring equipment and techniques. Knowing the concentration, obviously you would need to multiply by the exhaust mass flow rate to determine the mass formation rate. Determining the exhaust mass flow rate may or may not be straightforward, depending on the circumstances.
Bear in mind the CO concentration may be very sensitive to a number of factors, such as the condition of the combustion apparatus, and the operating point of the system, unless it is an on/off type of control.

"Schiefgehen will, was schiefgehen kann" - das Murphygesetz

 

[BrianPetersen]

HVAC vendors (oil burner technicians) should have an instrument for measuring CO in the exhaust, because they need this for setting up the burner properly. As noted above, the CO concentration will be very setup-dependent.

A Google search for "co gas burner" may prove instructive.

 

[Fyokou]

Just an update I searched "propane emissions factor" and I found a link from the US EPA that maybe of use to others.

[URL unfurl="true"]http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch01/final/c01s05.pdf[/url]

Cheers,
Fyokou

 

[JStephen]

Assuming minimal CO and you're not belching black smoke, the rest of the carbon should wind up as CO2. The proportion of CO2 to propane, I think was covered in 9th grade chemistry.

 

[chicopee]

Any ME handbook will have tables to assist you; for example my Kent "Power" ME handbook has such tables. The amount of excess air in such equipment will have bearing on the proportions of the products of combustion, so testing as indicated above by one of the responders is the appropriate course of action.