Three-dimensional numerical modelling of hydrogen, methane, propane and butane combustions in a spherical model combustor

Abstract

In this study, combustion and emission characteristics of hydrogen, methane, propane and butane have been numerically investigated in a spherical model combustor. Predictions have been performed by using Ansys Fluent CFD code. The numerical modelling of turbulent non-premixed diffusion flames have been implemented in this combustor. Mathematical models studied in this study included the k–ε model of turbulent flow, the PDF/mixture fraction model of nonpremixed combustion and P-1 radiation model. Three-dimensional modellings of the model combustor were conducted for same combustion conditions (40 kW thermal power and λ ¼ 1.0 stoichiometric mixture ratio). According to modelling results, the maximum temperature was predicted during the hydrogen combustion as the high diffusivity, reactivity and heating value of hydrogen highly affected the flame temperature. Similarly, the minimum temperature in this model combustor was also predicted during the butane combustion. Moreover, high NOX emissions were formed in high temperature zones because of thermal NOX mechanism. Hence, the maximum NOX formation was predicted for hydrogen combustion among these fuels.