Volume 32: A Sustainable, Clean and Carbon-free Energy Future

Experimental Investigation of the Combustion Characteristics of Ammonia Addition to the Dry Low NOx Hydrogen Combustor Hongjuan He , Zongming Yu, Yue Wang ,Yuhua Ai , Weijie Zhao, Baorui Wang

Abstract

To facilitate the decarbonization of the energy sector and promote the market penetration of hydrogen, exploring the feasibility of using ammonia as an energy carrier in existing combustion equipment becomes an important topic. Partial cracking or mixing with other fuels is currently the common strategy to improve ammonia’s slow chemistry and low reactivity.
We conducted an experimental study of ammonia addition to an existing low-pollution hydrogen gas turbine combustor, observing flame structure changes, measuring NOx emissions, and investigating flashback boundaries. The results show that after adding only 5% ammonia, the flame structure changed significantly, and the flame expansion angle became more extensive, but it did not affect the flame stability and working condition regulation. Also, no ammonia escape occurs. Meanwhile, the addition of ammonia expanded the flashback boundary to some extent. However, the main issue facing the addition of ammonia is the significant increase in NOx emissions. The practice of this paper provides a reference for the feasibility of adding ammonia gas to the low-pollution hydrogen gas turbine combustor.

Keywords Hydrogen-ammonia mixed combustion, lean premix combustor, combustion characteristics, NOx emissions