The feasibility of the use of a plasma jet was studied for the ignition of pulverized coal combustion and suppression of nitrogen oxide formation. The analyses of the product gases under various experimental conditions led to the following results:
(1) By the assistance of plasma injection, pulverized coal can be ignited without any addition of auxiliary oil or gas. The proportion of plasma energy necessary to maintain stable combustion does not exceed several percentages of heat input of the coal.
(2) Suppression of nitrogen oxide formation can be expected even in the range of high combustion efficiency, if the plasma assisted burner is appropriately designed. Nitrogen plasma plays an important roll to reduce the nitrogen oxide.
