Comparisons of the impact of reformer gas and hydrogen enrichment on flame stability and pollutant emissions for a kerosene/air swirled flame with an aeronautical fuel injector

Experimental studies were conducted on an actual aeronautical fuel injector, at conditions close as possible of the idle regime of the aircraft (P = 0.3 MPa and T = 500 K), to characterize the flame stability and pollutant emissions of two-phase kerosene/air flames. The objective was to investigate the effects of H₂ and reformer gases (RG containing H₂) enrichment of kerosene at constant power for the adaptation to an aircraft engine. Two different gas injection configurations have been tested (partially premixed, PP, and fully premixed, FP) to evaluate the consequences of the fuel injection mode on gas enrichment. We demonstrate the main interest and the benefits of RGs for aeronautical gas turbines. Through chemical mechanisms, they increase the flame stability and strongly reduce CO emissions without dramatically increasing NO_x emissions, in comparison with the injection of pure hydrogen. Their overall behavior is independent from the injection configuration.     

Hydrogen addition effects in a confined swirl-stabilized methane-air flame

The effect of hydrogen addition in methane-air premixed flames has been examined from a swirl-stabilized combustor under confined conditions. The effect of hydrogen addition in methane-air flame has been examined over a range of conditions using a laboratory-scale premixed combustor operated at 5.81 kW. Different swirlers have been investigated to identify the role of swirl strength to the incoming mixture. The flame stability was examined for the effect of amount of hydrogen addition, combustion air flow rates and swirl strengths. This was carried out by comparing adiabatic flame temperatures at the lean flame limit. The combustion characteristics of hydrogen-enriched methane flames at constant heat load but different swirl strengths have been examined using particle image velocimetry (PIV), micro-thermocouples and OH chemiluminescence diagnostics that provided information on velocity, thermal field, and combustion generated OH species concentration in the flame, respectively. Gas analyzer was used to obtain NO_x and CO concentration at the combustor exit. The results show that the lean stability limit is extended by hydrogen addition. The stability limit can reduce at higher swirl intensity to the fuel-air mixture operating at lower adiabatic flame temperatures. The addition of hydrogen increases the NO_x emission; however, this effect can be reduced by increasing either the excess air or swirl intensity. The emissions of NO_x and CO from the premixed flame were also compared with a diffusion flame type combustor. The NO_x emissions of hydrogen-enriched methane premixed flame were found to be lower than the corresponding diffusion flame under same operating conditions for the fuel-lean case.     

Thermal and emission characteristics of a turbulent swirling inverse diffusion flame

The thermal and emission characteristics of a swirl-stabilized turbulent inverse diffusion flame (IDF) burning liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were studied experimentally and the results of visible flame lengths, flame temperatures, in-flame gaseous species concentrations and global pollutant emissions were reported.The flame shape and length of the swirling IDF and a non-swirling IDF were compared. The swirling IDF is featured by a large internal recirculation zone (IRZ), which plays an important role in stabilizing and shortening the flame. Compared with the non-swirling IDF, the swirling IDF is shorter, wider and more stable. For the swirling IDF, both temperature and species distributions are uniform in the IRZ. Comparison of the radial NO_x/temperature distributions indicates that the thermal NO mechanism plays a leading role in NO_x formation, since the high-temperature IRZ favors thermal NO production. The effects of air jet Reynolds number (Re) and overall equivalence ratio (Ф) on centerline temperature and emission index were examined. The main finding is that the IRZ which is large in size and high in temperature dominates the thermal and emission characteristics of the swirling flame.Efforts were made to compare the global NO_x and CO emissions of the swirling and non-swirling IDFs. It was found that strong swirl and lean combustion are two key factors for reducing NO_x emission. However, the decreasing NO_x emission is compromised by increasing CO. Under stoichiometric and rich conditions, EINO_x of the swirling IDFs is slightly higher, but the EICO is significantly lower. Further comparison of EINO_x with other studies indicates that the swirling IDF can achieve low NO_x emission.     

NOx formation in post-flame gases from syngas/air combustion at atmospheric pressure

Species concentration measurements specifically those associated with nitrogen oxides (NO_x) can act as important validation targets for developing kinetic models to predict NO_x emissions under syngas combustion accurately. In the present study, premixed combustion of syngas/air mixtures, with equivalence ratio (Φ) from 0.5 to 1.0 and H₂/CO ratio from 0.25 to 1.0 was conducted in a McKenna burner operating at atmospheric pressure. Temperature and NO_x concentrations were measured in the post-combustion zone. For a given H₂/CO ratio, increasing the equivalence ratio from lean to stoichiometric resulted in an increase in NO and decrease in NO₂ concentration near the flame. Increasing the H₂/CO ratio led to a decrease in the temperature as well as the NO concentration near the flame. Based on the axial profiles above the burner, NO concentration increases right above the flame while NO₂ concentration decreases through NO₂-NO conversion reactions according to the path flux analysis. In addition, the present experiments were operated in the laminar region where multidimensional transport effects play significant roles. In order to account for the radial and axial diffusive and convective coupling to chemical kinetics in laminar flow, a multidimensional model was developed to simulate the post-combustion species and temperature distribution. The measurements were compared against both multidimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and one-dimensional burner-stabilized flame simulations. The multidimensional model predictions resulted in a better agreement with the measurements, clearly highlighting the effect of multidimensional transport.     

NOx emission characteristics of partially premixed laminar flames of H2/CO/CO2 mixtures

NO_x emission indices were experimentally measured for partially premixed laminar flames of five different H₂/CO/CO₂ fuels over a wide range of equivalence ratios. Through those fuels, the effects of H₂/CO ratio and CO₂ concentration on NO_x emissions, flame appearance, visible flame height and flame temperature are presented. EINO_x values increase when 1.0 ≤ Φ ≤ 1.6, then remain near the highest value, before decreasing slowly when 3.85 ≤ Φ ≤ ∞. The increase of the CO₂ concentration reduces the EINO_x for the whole range of equivalence ratios, while the increase in the H₂/CO ratio reduces the EINO_x when Φ ≤ 2.0 and is inconsequential for richer mixtures. The variation in flame temperatures approximates EINO_x trends. The variation of flame color from blue to orange when the H₂/CO ratio is increased might be explained by higher CO levels in by-product combustion.     

Effect of methane reforming before combustion on emission and calorimetric characteristics of its combustion process

In this study, combustion and emission characteristics of methane mixed with steam (CH₄/H₂O) and the products of methane reforming with steam (CO/H₂/H₂O) were compared. Four fuel compositions were analysed: CH₄+H₂O, CH₄+2H₂O, and products of complete methane reforming in these mixtures, respectively. A comparison was carried out through the numerical model created via Ansys Fluent 2019 R2. A combustion process was simulated using a non-premixed combustion model, standard k-ϵ turbulence model and P-1 radiation model. The combustor heat capacity for interrelated fuel compositions was kept constant due to air preheating before combustion. The inlet air temperature was varied to gain a better insight into the combustion behaviour at elevated temperatures. The effect of steam addition on the emission characteristics and flame temperatures was also evaluated. NO_x formation was assessed on the outlet of the combustion zone. The obtained results indicate that syngas has a higher combustion temperature than methane (in the same combustor heat capacity) and therefore emitted 27% more NO_x comparing to methane combustion. With the air inlet temperature increment, the pollutant concentration difference between the two cases decreased. Steam addition to fuel inlet resulted in lesser emissions both for methane and syngas by 57% and 28%, respectively. In summary, syngas combustion occurred at higher temperature and produced more NO_x emissions in all cases considered.     

Internal combustion engines fueled by natural gas—hydrogen mixtures

In this study, a survey of research papers on utilization of natural gas–hydrogen mixtures in internal combustion engines is carried out. In general, HC, CO₂, and CO emissions decrease with increasing H₂, but NO_x emissions generally increase. If a catalytic converter is used, NO_x emission values can be decreased to extremely low levels. Consequently, equivalence zero emission vehicles (EZEV) standards may be reached. Efficiency values vary with H₂ amount, spark timing, compression ratio, equivalence ratio, etc. Under certain conditions, efficiency values can be increased. In terms of BSFC, emissions and BTE, a mixture of low hydrogen percentage is suitable for using.     

Characterization of confined hydrogen-air jet flame in a crossflow configuration using design of experiments

Hydrogen combustion has many industrial applications and development of new hydrogen burners is required to fulfil new demands. A novel configuration of hydrogen burner utilizing crossflow injection of fuel jets into swirling combustion air is characterized empirically in this work. It is intended as a first step in the development of new burner technologies having reduced emission levels and improved efficiency. Experiments were designed using the full factorial design method. Operating parameters were varied simultaneously and the NO_X emissions from the flame stabilized on the burner were measured. Statistical analysis of the experimental data showed that overall equivalence ratio is the dominant factor and lower NO_X emissions are observed at low equivalence ratios, irrespective of the burner power level. The analysis yielded an empirical relationship among NO_X emission, overall equivalence ratio, and power level that is useful in the design activity for a future combustion system based on the proposed configuration.     

Numerical study of the effect of H2O diluents on NOx and CO formation in turbulent premixed methane-air flame

The interaction of turbulence–combustion inside the flame field is studied in a Launder-Sharma Low Reynolds Number (LS-LRN) k−ε/EDM framework, while suitable coefficients have been utilized in the code. A finite volume method (FVM) with staggered grids was applied to discrete set of governing equations. SIMPLE algorithm is applied with a fine grid resolution. The convective terms are discretized using Power Law Scheme (PLS). The system of governing equations is solved simultaneously using numerical or TDMA finite difference methods (Tri-Diagonal Matrix Algorithm). By implementation of the Zeldovich and Westbrook-Dryer mechanisms, NO_x and CO concentrations were obtained, respectively. It is illustrated that the implemented LS-LRN-k−ε/EDM method with the new coefficients by shorter runtimes has very good agreement with previously published experimental measurements. Increasing the H₂O diluent at the inlet leads to an increase in the temperature, which increases the NO_x and CO near the entrance, but gradually towards the outlet of the combustion chamber. The energy absorbed by H₂O leads to a severe decrease in temperature and subsequent reduction in the amount of NO_x and CO emissions. With increasing H₂O diluent, changes in temperature are not very significant, while changes in pollutants CO and especially NO_x, are remarkable. With the increase of H₂O diluent, the maximum amount of CO emission displaces towards the inlet of the combustion chamber. However, it should be noted that, at a specific value of H₂O diluent, the length of the combustion chamber should not be less than critical value, causing the exhaust of the pollutant with large volume to the environment. After the critical point, the increase in the length of the chamber has little effect on reduction of the pollutant exhaust. However, by increasing the H₂O diluent, enclosures with smaller length can be utilized.     

Active control of jet premixed flames in a model combustor with manipulation of large-scale vortical structures and mixing

Active control of a bluff-body stabilized methane/air jet flame issued from a coaxial nozzle is made by using miniature magnetic flap actuators attached to the outer nozzle. CH radical chemiluminescence, and CO and NO_x emissions are measured to assess the flame characteristics. By changing the flapping Strouhal number, the flame stability and CO emission are drastically improved under different equivalence ratio (?) conditions. At ? = 0.72, the optimum Strouhal number for stable combustion is unity, since methane/air mixing is enhanced by large-scale vortices synchronized with the flap motion. On the other hand, at a lower equivalence ratio of ? = 0.48, the optimum Strouhal number is much larger than unity; with small-scale vortices, the premixed combustion is stabilized by stratified mixing. In addition to acetone and OH-PLIF, a new two-line OH-PLIF is employed for flame temperature measurement. The longitudinal flame temperature distribution is obtained from conditional-averaged OH fluorescence intensities at the OH front taken with two different excitation lines. CO and NO_x emission characteristics of the controlled flame are discussed on the basis of the local fuel and OH distributions and the flame temperature.     

Experimental investigation of combustion in porous heating burners

The combustion characteristics of liquefied petroleum gas inside porous heating burners have been investigated experimentally under steady-state and transient conditions. Cooling tubes were embedded in the postflame region of the packed bed of a porous heating burner. The flame speed, temperature profile, and [NO_x] and [CO] in the product gases were monitored during an experiment. Due to the heat removal by the cooling tubes, a phenomenon termed metastable combustion was observed; this is that only one flame speed exists at a particular equivalence ratio for maintaining stable combustion within the porous bed of the porous heating burner. This behavior is quite different from that of porous burners without cooling tubes, in which an extended range of flame speeds usually is found for maintaining stable combustion. After metastable combustion has been established in a porous heating burner, a change in the equivalence ratio will stop the metastable combustion and drive the flame out of the packed bed. From the steady-state results, the porous heating burner was shown to maintain stable combustion under fuel-lean conditions with an equivalence ratio lower than the flammability limit of a normal free-burning system. The flame speed in a porous heating burner was found to decrease with an increase in the length of the porous bed. Combustion within a porous heating burner has the features of low flame temperature, extended reaction zone, high preheating temperature and low emissions of NO_x and CO. The flame temperature ranged from 1050 to 1250 °C, which is ∼200 °C lower than the adiabatic flame temperature at the corresponding equivalence ratio. The length of the reaction zone could be more than 70 mm and the preheating temperature ranged from 950 to 1000 °C. Both [NO_x] and [CO] were low, typically below 10 ppm.     

Numerical study of hydrogen‐enriched methane–air combustion under ultra‐lean conditions

The demand for gas turbines that accept a variety of fuels has continuously increased over the last decade. Understanding the effects of varying fuel compositions on combustion characteristics and emissions is critical to designing fuel‐flexible combustors. In this study, the combustion characteristics and emissions of methane and hydrogen‐enriched methane were both experimentally and numerically investigated under ultra‐lean conditions (Ø ≤ 0.5). This study was performed using global mechanisms with a one‐step mechanism by Westbrook and Dryer and a two‐step mechanism with an irreversible and reversible CO/CO₂ step (2sCM1 and 2sCM2). Results show that the 2sCM2 mechanism under‐predicted the temperature, major species, and NO_x by more than 100% under ultra‐lean conditions; thus, we proposed a modified‐2sCM2 mechanism to better simulate the combustion characteristics. The mechanisms of Westbrook, 2sCM1, and modified 2sCM2 predicted the temperature and the CO₂ emission with an average deviation of about 5% from the experimental values. Westbrook and 2sCM1, however, over‐predicted the NO_x emission by approximately 81% and 152%, respectively, as compared with an average under‐prediction of 11% by the modified‐2sCM2 mechanism. The numerical results using the proposed modified‐2sCM2 mechanism shows that the presence of hydrogen in the fuel mixture inhibits the oxidation of methane that led to the formation of unburned hydrocarbons in the flame. We also showed that for any given fuel compositions of H₂/CH₄, there is an optimum equivalence ratio at which the pollutant emissions (CO and NO_x) from the combustor are minimal. Zero CO and 5 ppm NO_x emissions were observed at the optimal equivalence ratio of 0.45 for a fuel mixture containing 30% H₂. The present study provides a basis for ultra‐lean combustion toward achieving zero emissions from a fuel‐flexible combustor. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and characterization of a low-NOx partially premixed hydrogen burner using numerical simulation and flame diagnostics

The utilization of hydrogen as a fuel in free jet burners faces particular challenges due to its special combustion properties. The high laminar and turbulent flame velocities may lead to issues in flame stability and operational safety in premixed and partially premixed burners. Additionally, a high adiabatic combustion temperature favors the formation of thermal nitric oxides (NO). This study presents the development and optimization of a partially premixed hydrogen burner with low emissions of nitric oxides. The single-nozzle burner features a very short premixing duct and a simple geometric design. In a first development step, the design of the burner is optimized by numerical investigation (Star CCM+) of mixture formation, which is improved by geometric changes of the nozzle. The impact of geometric optimization and of humidification of the combustion air on NO_x emissions is then investigated experimentally. The hydrogen flame is detected with an infrared camera to evaluate the flame stability for different burner configurations. The improved mixture formation by geometric optimization avoids temperature peaks and leads to a noticeable reduction in NO_x emissions for equivalence ratios below 0.85. The experimental investigations also show that NO_x emissions decrease with increasing relative humidity of combustion air. This single-nozzle forms the basis for multi-nozzle burners, where the desired output power can flexibly be adjusted by the number of single nozzles.     

Pilot impact on turbulent premixed methane/air and hydrogen-enriched methane/air flames in a laboratory-scale gas turbine model combustor

The impact of pilot flame operation on the combustion of pure methane and hydrogen-enriched methane (H₂/CH₄: 50/50 in vol%) fuels was investigated in a gas turbine model combustor under atmospheric conditions. The burner assembly was designed to mimic the geometry of an industrial burner, the Siemens DLE Burner, in which a concentric annular ring equipped with pilot flame burners is implemented in the dome of the combustor. Two pilot burner configurations have been investigated: a non-premixed and a partially premixed pilot arrangement. The performance of the pilot burners was evaluated for varying Reynolds number (Re) and H₂ enrichment. High-speed OH1 chemiluminescence imaging, as well as simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence measurements of the OH radicals and formaldehyde (CH₂O) were used for evaluating the dynamics and structures of the flames for different conditions. Furthermore, emission measurements were carried out to determine the influence of hydrogen dilution on the NO_x and CO emission levels. The main findings are (a) the effect of the pilot flame is sensitive to the Reynolds number of the main flame and the type of the pilot flame, (b) the stability range becomes narrower with increasing hydrogen ratio, due to the tendency to flashback, (c) non-premixed pilot flames lower the NO_x and increase the CO emissions, albeit rather small differences in the emissions have been detected, and (d) the NO_x and CO emissions become significantly lower with increasing hydrogen ratio.     

An experimental study of a cylindrical multi-hole premixed burner for the development of a condensing gas boiler

This study experimentally examined a cylindrical multi-hole premixed burner for its potential use for a condensing gas boiler, which produces less NO_x emissions and performs better. In this study, the hole diameters and the arrangement of a multi-hole burner were investigated using a flat burner model. The combustion characteristics for the flame stability as well as the NO_x and CO emissions were examined using a cylindrical burner. For an optimal operating condition, the equivalence ratio for the cylindrical burner was between 0.70 and 0.75. For this condition, the turn-down ratio was 3:1 or higher, which was suitable for appropriate control of the boiler operation. The NO_x and CO emissions were less than 40 ppm and less than 30 ppm, respectively, for a 0% O₂ basis. The LPG and LNG were able to be used in this type of burner because there was no phenomenal difference in the stable combustion region between them.     

Natural-gas fueled spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engine performance and emissions

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that has been used and investigated extensively for use in spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engines. Compared with conventional gasoline engines, SI engines using natural gas can run at higher compression ratios, thus producing higher thermal efficiencies but also increased nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions, while producing lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). These engines also produce relatively less power than gasoline-fueled engines because of the convergence of one or more of three factors: a reduction in volumetric efficiency due to natural-gas injection in the intake manifold; the lower stoichiometric fuel/air ratio of natural gas compared to gasoline; and the lower equivalence ratio at which these engines may be run in order to reduce NO_x emissions. High NO_x emissions, especially at high loads, reduce with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). However, EGR rates above a maximum value result in misfire and erratic engine operation. Hydrogen gas addition increases this EGR threshold significantly. In addition, hydrogen increases the flame speed of the natural gas-hydrogen mixture. Power levels can be increased with supercharging or turbocharging and intercooling. Natural gas is used to power CI engines via the dual-fuel mode, where a high-cetane fuel is injected along with the natural gas in order to provide a source of ignition for the charge. Thermal efficiency levels compared with normal diesel-fueled CI-engine operation are generally maintained with dual-fuel operation, and smoke levels are reduced significantly. At the same time, lower NO_x and CO₂ emissions, as well as higher HC and CO emissions compared with normal CI-engine operation at low and intermediate loads are recorded. These trends are caused by the low charge temperature and increased ignition delay, resulting in low combustion temperatures. Another factor is insufficient penetration and distribution of the pilot fuel in the charge, resulting in a lack of ignition centers. EGR admission at low and intermediate loads increases combustion temperatures, lowering unburned HC and CO emissions. Larger pilot fuel quantities at these load levels and hydrogen gas addition can also help increase combustion efficiency. Power output is lower at certain conditions than diesel-fueled engines, for reasons similar to those affecting power output of SI engines. In both cases the power output can be maintained with direct injection. Overall, natural gas can be used in both engine types; however further refinement and optimization of engines and fuel-injection systems is needed.     

Emission characteristics and axial flame temperature distribution of producer gas fired premixed burner

This paper presents the emission characteristics and axial flame temperature distribution of producer gas fired premixed burner. The producer gas fired premixed burner of 150 kW capacity was tested on open core throat less down draft gasifier system in the present study. A stable and uniform flame was observed with this burner. An instrumented test set up was developed to evaluate the performance of the burner. The conventional bluff body having blockage ratio of 0.65 was used for flame stabilization. With respect to maximum flame temperature, minimum pressure drop and minimum emissions, a swirl angle of 60° seems to be optimal. The experimental results also showed that the NO_x emissions are inversely proportional to swirl angle and CO emissions are independent of swirl angle. The minimum emission levels of CO and NO_x are observed to be 0.167% and 384 ppm respectively at the swirl angle of 45–60°. The experimental results showed that the maximum axial flame temperature distribution was achieved at A/F ratio of 1.0. The adiabatic flame temperature of 1653 °C was calculated theoretically at A/F ratio of 1.0. Experimental results are in tune with theoretical results. It was also concluded that the CO and UHC emissions decreases with increasing A/F ratio while NO_x emissions decreases on either side of A/F ratio of 1.0.     

Combustion characteristics of natural gas–hydrogen hybrid fuel turbulent diffusion flame

Combustion characteristics of natural gas – hydrogen hybrid fuel were investigated experimentally in a free jet turbulent diffusion flame flowing into a slow co-flowing air stream. Experiments were carried out at a constant jet exit Reynolds number of 4000 and with a wide range of NG–H₂ mixture concentrations, varied from 100%NG to 50%NG-50% H₂ by volume. The effect of hydrogen addition on flame stability, flame length, flame structure, exhaust species concentration and pollutant emissions was conducted. Results showed that, hydrogen addition sustains a progressive improvement in flame stability and reduction in flame length, especially for relatively high hydrogen concentrations. Hydrogen-enriched flames found to have a higher combustion temperatures and reactivity than natural gas flame. Also, it was found that hydrogen addition to natural gas is an ineffective strategy for NO and CO reduction in the studied range, while a significant reduction in the %CO₂ molar concentration by about 30% was achieved.     

Effect of hydrogen enrichment on combustion characteristics of methane swirling and non-swirling inverse diffusion flame

Influence of hydrogen addition on appearance of swirling and non-swirling inverse diffusion flame (IDF) along with emissions characteristics are investigated experimentally. The combustion characteristics including flame length, axial and radial temperature variation, and noise level are analysed for hydrogen addition in methane by mass basis for constant energy input and by volume basis for constant volumetric fuel flow rate. Hydrogen addition in methane IDF produces shorter flame by compressing entrainment zone, mixing zone, reaction zone, and post-combustion zone. Hydrogen addition shift these zones towards fuel and air exit from the burner. Enrichment of methane with hydrogen on a mass basis up to 6% reduces CO emission considerably and increases NO_x emission moderately. Effect of H₂ addition on combustion and emission characteristics is more prominent in non-swirling IDF. Combustion noise is augmented with the hydrogen addition and the magnitude of sound level depends on the hydrogen concentration.