Advanced Hydrogen Technologies For Rapid Decarbonisation (ENCORE)
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Abstract
The urgent need to shift away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner energy sources has spurred global interest in hydrogen as a potential solution. While renewable energy sources like solar and wind power offer significant promise, their intermittent nature necessitates complementary technologies. Additionally, the limitations of battery technology in terms of energy density and charging infrastructure hinder their application in heavy-duty sectors like transportation and large-scale energy storage. Many industrial processes and power generation systems rely on combustion technologies to satisfy their significant energy requirements. Hydrogen, with its zero-carbon emissions and high energy density, emerges as a promising alternative. It has the potential to revolutionise various sectors, including power generation, transportation, aviation, and industry. The global community recognises hydrogen's crucial role in achieving net-zero emissions. International initiatives and strategies, such as the EU's 2023 Roadmap on hydrogen standardisation and the UK Hydrogen Strategy (2023), highlight hydrogen's potential to decarbonise sectors that are difficult to electrify. Moreover, geopolitical shifts and energy security concerns have accelerated the adoption of clean energy solutions. The EU's REPowerEU Plan emphasises hydrogen's role in reducing fossil fuel dependence and strengthening energy independence.
Gas turbines, with their high efficiency, quick start-up, fuel flexibility, and low emissions, are crucial components of future sustainable energy systems. However, current gas turbine combustors are not suitable for 100% hydrogen combustion due to its distinctive combustion characteristics. High hydrogen content mixtures in gas turbines can lead to increased flashback risk, thermoacoustic instabilities, and dynamic flames, negatively impacting performance and emissions. Therefore, developing new gas turbine combustors capable of robust, wide-ranging, and efficient operation with 100% hydrogen is imperative.
This project aims to advance the understanding of hydrogen combustion by building upon previous research carried out during the original project. It will focus on two promising burner configurations: premixed jet and lean direct injection. The goal is to accelerate the development of these technologies for implementation in hydrogen gas turbines. This will be achieved by investigating flame interactions, optimising combustor design, and validating numerical models, through the following specific objectives; (a) Investigate flame interactions in premixed jet and lean direct injection burners, analysing their impact on flame structure and dynamics, (b) Gain insights relevant for thermal management and NOx reduction strategies by investigating spatial temperature distribution and NO formation, (c) Create a high-quality experimental dataset to validate and improve models of interacting hydrogen flames, (d) Implement concept hardware in a demonstrator engine to understand system scaling and integration challenges, and (e) Develop strategies to translate research findings into practical applications and commercial technologies.
This research will contribute to the development of efficient and low-emission hydrogen gas turbine combustion systems. The project will also have significant societal and economic impacts, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy security, and job creation for skilled workers. By engaging with industry partners and policymakers, the research will accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Gas turbines, with their high efficiency, quick start-up, fuel flexibility, and low emissions, are crucial components of future sustainable energy systems. However, current gas turbine combustors are not suitable for 100% hydrogen combustion due to its distinctive combustion characteristics. High hydrogen content mixtures in gas turbines can lead to increased flashback risk, thermoacoustic instabilities, and dynamic flames, negatively impacting performance and emissions. Therefore, developing new gas turbine combustors capable of robust, wide-ranging, and efficient operation with 100% hydrogen is imperative.
This project aims to advance the understanding of hydrogen combustion by building upon previous research carried out during the original project. It will focus on two promising burner configurations: premixed jet and lean direct injection. The goal is to accelerate the development of these technologies for implementation in hydrogen gas turbines. This will be achieved by investigating flame interactions, optimising combustor design, and validating numerical models, through the following specific objectives; (a) Investigate flame interactions in premixed jet and lean direct injection burners, analysing their impact on flame structure and dynamics, (b) Gain insights relevant for thermal management and NOx reduction strategies by investigating spatial temperature distribution and NO formation, (c) Create a high-quality experimental dataset to validate and improve models of interacting hydrogen flames, (d) Implement concept hardware in a demonstrator engine to understand system scaling and integration challenges, and (e) Develop strategies to translate research findings into practical applications and commercial technologies.
This research will contribute to the development of efficient and low-emission hydrogen gas turbine combustion systems. The project will also have significant societal and economic impacts, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy security, and job creation for skilled workers. By engaging with industry partners and policymakers, the research will accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy and contribute to a more sustainable future.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Midhat Talibi (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |