Research output per year
Research output per year
Sarah Link, Kaushal Dave, Francesca de Domenico, Arvind Gangoli Rao, Georg Eitelberg
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Introducing H 2 as fuel in gas turbines is a promising step towards decarbonizing the energy sector. However, the future availability of H 2 in large quantities remains uncertain. Consequently, designing fuel flexible (CH 4/H 2) combustion chambers for various fuel blends is necessary. The distinct combustion characteristics of H 2, such as high flame speeds and high adiabatic flame temperatures, pose challenges when designing systems that can operate in a stable manner and with low emissions across a wide range of fuel mixtures. This paper investigates the fuel-flexibility of an atmospheric laboratory scale, partially premixed swirl stabilized combustor. By deploying a non-rotating axial air jet (AAI) in the center-line of the swirling flow, the flashback risk for high H 2 content fuels is minimized. This study provides detailed insights into AAI's interaction with CH 4/H 2 fuel blends, analyzing the resulting flow field from Particle Image Velocimetry, emissions from exhaust gas analyser measurements, and flame structures from OH* chemiluminescence and OH Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence. The results show that AAI enables flame stabilization across the full range from 100% CH 4 to 100% H 2 in the same injector geometry. However, a high portion of the total airflow must be injected axially to stabilize H 2 flames. Increasing the level of AAI increases NO emissions and alters flame stabilization mechanisms. This is likely due to a decrease in mixing quality, resulting in the fuel staying close to the periphery of the mixing tube. Switching the fuel from 100% CH 4 to 100% H 2 leads to an increase in NO emission, despite lower adiabatic flame temperatures for the perfectly premixed case. This indicates that the mixing process and flame location within the combustion chamber are essential in controlling NO emissions. Moreover, the flow field transforms significantly from a swirl-stabilized flow field featuring an inner recirculation zone to one resembling the one of a jet flame.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 427-437 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |
Volume | 101 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2025 |
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review
Research output: Other contribution › Scientific