Session: 03-01 Hydrogen Combustion

Paper Number: 102987

102987 - Progress on the Complete and Low-Nox Combustion of Eco-Fuels Using a Thermo-Acoustically-Driven, Hydrogen-Powered Pilot Stage 

Thermo-acoustic modal control of premixed lean combustion of conventional, carbon-based fuels can increase - when well chosen - the mixing rate, the energy density in the flame due to its deformation and the combustion efficiency leading into reductions in CO and NOx emissions [GT2017-64429]. It was shown for instance that the flame appears more robust versus lean blowout when thermo-acoustically excited, while simultaneous improvements in the combustion performance take place. 

The combustion of hydrogen is a key element of the energy transition. However, premixed hydrogen combustion is not trivial and poses a number of challenges. In premixed burners, high hydrogen content tends to flashback, forms high amounts of thermal NOx and triggers combustion instabilities. To address these challenges the thermo-acoustic modal control technology was already applied on lean premixed hydrogen combustion in a previous study [GT2022-80886]. It could be shown that the thermo-acoustic excitation can be used as a significant driver in terms of flame position and stabilization. 

This paper reports about the progress on atmospheric combustion experiments performed with lean premixed hydrogen in the kW range using a pulsation device type siren for thermo-acoustic modal control. A test case including robust flame stabilization against flashback when thermo-acoustically excited via the siren, while simultaneously observing a decrease in NOx emissions are presented and discussed. More exactly, the flame is forced to stabilize further away from the injection, and the drive effect is well-controlled and reproducible. The specifics of the atmospheric test rig and the hydrogen injector, as well as the sensing methods are described in detail. The flow field of the hydrogen injector and the premixing effect is investigated using computational fluid dynamic simulation. All experimental results are presented and discussed in detail. The paper ends with the projection of this principle for greater scales in the MW range. 

Presenting Author: Nina Paulitsch Combustion Bay One e.U.

Presenting Author Biography: /

Authors:

Nina Paulitsch Combustion Bay One e.U.
Fabrice Giuliani Combustion Bay One e.U.
Andrea Hofer Combustion Bay One e.U.
Johannes Hofer P&P Industries AG
Lukas Andracher FH Joanneum GmbH