A catalytic burner using propane and toluene alternately for the drying of textile coatings

This study aims to develop a low‐temperature catalytic burner using propane and toluene alternately as a fuel and to apply it to the drying of acrylic coatings on textiles. Pt catalysts deposited on ceramic fibres (Al₂O₃) were employed. For propane, the diffusive catalytic burner was used. The combustion efficiency of the diffusive catalytic burner deteriorated rapidly when it was installed in a downward position. Two concepts of forced diffusion combustion and premixed combustion were introduced to improve the downward placed diffusive catalytic burner. The combustion efficiency was enhanced with these modifications, but the forced diffusion was preferred since premixed combustion raised the temperature of the catalyst above 700°C leading to sintering of the catalyst. For the toluene catalytic burner the premixed combustion mode was adopted. Its optimum operation conditions were obtained by analyzing the temperatures within the catalyst layer and by adjustment of the toluene mixture. Field tests were performed on the drying acrylic coatings using the catalytic burners. The results showed that the use of catalytic burners had several benefits such as energy savings and less pollutant emissions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.