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flue gas

1. n. [Enhanced Oil Recovery]

A gas generated by burning hydrocarbons with air; it is sometimes used as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) injectant. The composition consists mainly of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and excess oxygen with some impurities, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. Generally, more carbon dioxide in the flue gas results in a better recovery factor for EOR. By contrast, using more nitrogen results in a lower recovery factor for EOR. However, high concentration of impurities, such as oxygen, nitrous oxides and carbon monoxide, can cause corrosion in production tubulars and surface equipment.