In a new paper published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, researchers describe investigating the combustion characteristics of a 150kW natural gas process burner, which is widely used in industrial processes such as direct firing, heat treatment, melting, and drying, under different hydrogen mixture ratios and air excess coefficients.

Amongst others, experimental studies were carried out at different air excess coefficients between 1.2 and 1.4 with 150kW heat input and blended fuel ranging from 0 % H₂/100 % NG to 20 % H₂/80 % NG. Numerical simulations were made with the PPC combustion model using the same boundary conditions. Their studies examined the effects on temperature, velocity, density, pressure, emissions, pollutants, flue gas temperature, flame formation, and stability.

As a result of the study, it was determined that process gas burners with diffusion flame characteristics can be safely operated with a blending of natural gas and up to 20 % hydrogen in accordance with safety guidelines in the operation of low-pressure applications and that this technology offers significant potential for industrial decarbonisation.

Download the paper here.