The effects of Hydrogen Blended Fuel on Combustion and Emission Characteristics of an Industrial Burner

The effects of hydrogen blend with natural gas have been experimentally investigated in an industrial burner for heat production. The hydrogen content was used >50% by vol in the fuel blend (hydrogen + natural gas) to examine the burner’s performance, combustion, and emission characteristics. The self-sustained combustion is a key for continuous heat production from an industrial burner. The control system of a burner plays an important role for self-sustained combustion. The study also identifies the threshold value of blended fuel after which modification in control system is necessary to sustain continuous combustion. The mass flow controllers have been adopted for precision control on both hydrogen and natural gas. The emission characteristics were analysed by using a flue gas analyser and verified with a mass spectrometer. The experimental study shows that flame thermal runaway occurs in the burner when deploying higher amount of hydrogen (i.e. ≥30% by vol.) in the blend and combustion instability increases. The required fuel flow rate for hydrogen blend increased to achieve the same power output as for natural gas. The most important influence of using hydrogen blend in combustion for industrial burner is the reduction of both CO and NOx. The study shows that CO, NO and NOx are reduced up to two times for upto 30% by vol. hydrogen blend with natural gas. The study also shows that the higher amount of hydrogen blend (i.e. ≥50% by vol.) will require a significant amount of modification to the burner’s control. The burner’s power output remains comparable with hydrogen enriched natural gas fuel and will support 100% hydrogen burner in near future.