CFD Simulation Studies on Model Can-Type Combustor with Syngas and Enhanced Hydrogen Fuel Combustion

Abstract

Syngas derived from coal or biomass becomes major source of energy for present and near-future power generation. The conventional fossil fuel-fired gas turbine combustors need attention to adopt variation in fuel. A model can-type combustor is considered in this study. Numerical simulations are carried out to identify the flow features in the combustor for a typical syngas combustion and artificially added H2 fuel combustion. Generally, syngas consists of CO and H2 combination in such a way that the mass fraction of CO is higher to reduce the influence of H2. The flow field generated by the syngas combustor has shown little variation in various quantities as compared with methane fuel. However, when increasing H2 content in the fuel, the streamline pattern changes. The flow field of enhanced H2 fuel combustion provided better upstream recirculation zone and higher values of temperatures. The fuel flow rate is varied in syngas and hydrogen-enhanced cases. It is noticed that the upstream recirculation is significant when there is intense heat release.