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ENERGIX-Stort program energi

Towards clean and stable hydrogen reheat combustion in gas turbines

Alternative title: Ren og stabil drift av hydrogenfyrte gassturbiner med stegvis brenseltilførsel

Awarded: NOK 10.0 mill.

Climate change is currently one of the biggest challenges our society is facing. The present project contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating combustion of hydrogen for power generation. Gas turbines for power generation traditionally have been operating mainly on natural gas. The interplay with highly volatile renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, requires intermediate storage of surplus energy. Hydrogen is an energy carrier that is uniquely suited to play this role. At the same time, fossil fuel, such as natural gas, can be stripped of its carbon, which again results in hydrogen. Hydrogen is a fuel, much like natural gas, that can be burned in an energy conversion device to provide electrical or mechanical energy. This is the energy that we use in our household, in industrial processes or for transport. The big advantage compared to natural gas is that the combustion of hydrogen does not produce any greenhouse gases - essentially just water vapor! Because hydrogen burns in a different way than natural gas (foremost, much faster), it is not possible to simply swap it with natural gas in a technical application. In particular the resonant characteristics of the combustion process in a gas turbine pose a high risk. Think of the unpleasant squeal created when a microphone and a loudspeaker create a feedback loop. A very similar phenomenon called thermoacoustic instability occurs in almost all combustion devices. Here, however, it is not only unpleasant but destructive to the engine. In the present project, we use state-of-the-art experimental facilities and supercomputers to improve our understanding of this phenomenon in hydrogen-fired gas turbines for power generation. In this way, we will be able to predict and eventually avoid these phenomena in the future. This will allow us to reduce our carbon footprint by producing power from hydrogen combustion. In the initial project phase, experimental and numerical capabilities have been established that allow us to study instability phenomena involving particular types of hydrogen flames, those that are well suited for carbon-free power generation. We have furthermore developed mathematical models that describe key aspects of the flame behavior, and we could show that these models agree remarkably well with detailed numerical computations. We have extended the models on the numerical and experimental side, which now cover broader conditions, and we have developed an efficient framework to predict the stability of hydrogen reheat flames in simplified configurations. An experimental platform has been established that facilitates in-depth access to these types of flames and allows us to study their response to various inputs. The next step is to acquire a broad experimental database that will be used to validate and refine the numerical and theoretical models.

The contribution from renewable energy sources (RES) is steadily increasing, and integration into the electric grid becomes challenging in view of the non-dispatchable parts (wind and sun). This motivates power-to-H2-to-power schemes - excess energy is stored as hydrogen that can later be used to produce power when the demand is high or the RES yield is low. At the same time, decarbonization of power generation from fossil fuels is highly desirable. In principle, this can be achieved through hydrogen production from natural gas with CCS. Both aspects, power-to-H2-to-power schemes utilizing 'green' hydrogen and low- to zero-emission power generation from 'fossil' hydrogen, require technology for clean, efficient and flexible combustion of hydrogen in gas turbines. However, presently available combustor technology is not capable of burning undiluted hydrogen because of its high reactivity. The most promising candidate is a reheat combustor architecture, but static and dynamic flame stability are severe challenges. Fundamental understanding and predictive modeling capabilities for unsteady phenomena in hydrogen-fueled reheat combustors are required to enable development and commercialization of this technology. The objective of the Reheat2H2 project therefore is to provide physical insight and quantitative models for hydrogen reheat flame dynamics that will enable large-scale end-use of hydrogen for clean power generation. To this end, we propose a combined approach, utilizing state-of-the-art high-performance computing and unique experimental facilities, both strongly linked to theoretical analysis and modeling activities. The project findings will pave the way for developing clean and efficient utilization of fossil and green hydrogen as gas turbine fuel. This will promote further increase of RES linked to power-to-H2-to-power schemes, and enable decarbonized power generation from fossil fuel with CCS.

Publications from Cristin

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Funding scheme:

ENERGIX-Stort program energi