Investigation and Control of Hydrogen flames Across the Scales (ICHAruS)

ICHAruS is a Doctoral Network aimed to train early-stage researchers, able to face current and future challenges in the field of innovative, cutting-edge technologies based on electromagnetic-assisted combustion to achieve full control of hydrogen flames. ICHAruS has been built to provide doctoral training in a collaborative partnership between academic institutions and industry partners who are major European gas turbine manufacturers. The aim of this partnership is thus to understand the physical processes that govern the interaction between hydrogen combustion and electromagnetic fields at all flow scales, to achieve control of the flame and identify the key parameters that would allow for the design of an innovative, ultra-low NOx and flashback-proof combustion device. The control of hydrogen flames through plasma discharge and electromagnetic conditioning offers the opportunity to strongly accelerate the path towards zero-carbon energy and transport sectors. Three specific research objectives will be pursued: 1) Investigation and modelling of electromagnetic field effects on the species transport and chemical kinetics to unveil the effect of external electromagnetic fields on the reaction chemistry of hydrogen in both pure oxygen and air, and also determine any effects on the formation of pollutants. The effect of differential diffusion on the flame structure as opposed to electromagnetic drift will also be investigated. 2) Development of turbulent combustion models for low- and high-energy electromagnetic-assisted combustion. The competing effects between electromagnetic drift and turbulent transport will be investigated and sub-grid scale closures for large-eddy simulations that consider the effect of electromagnetic fields and plasma will be developed. 3) Experimental and numerical investigation of innovative electromagnetic-assisted control technologies for the stabilisation of flames of practical interest. Both single swirl flames and annular configurations will be investigated. Fuel staging and injection will also be studied as a fundamental step towards practical implementation in realistic engines.