Numerical modelling of non-premixed hydrogen blended combustion in a 3D-combustor with jet optimisation

Abstract

The use of modular combustion systems with multiple jets has gained attention as an efficient and reliable solution for combined heat and power (CHP) applications to enhance the transition to clean and renewable energy for power generation, thereby meeting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 in addressing climate change challenges. In this study, the performance of a 3D combustor with multiple jets has been modelled numerically and analysed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. The efficiency of the combustor is evaluated under varying operational and geometrical conditions such as fuel flow rate, jet number, and hydrogen concentration in the fuel mixture. The investigation results showed that the combustor jet has an optimum operational value for increased efficiency at 16 jets, further indicating the impact of jet number on fuel resident time and mixture in the combustion chamber. In contrast, lower jet numbers resulted in inefficient combustion. The results also revealed that the operation of the combustor should be limited to lower fuel velocities to maintain efficient combustion. The findings of this study provide useful insights for the improvement of modular combustion systems for clean energy production.