Industrial Decarbonization through Blended Combustion of Natural Gas and Hydrogen

Abstract

The transition to cleaner energy sources, particularly in hard-to-abate industrial sectors, often requires the gradual integration of new technologies. Hydrogen, crucial for decarbonization, is explored as a fuel in blended combustions. Blending or replacing fuels impacts combustion stability and heat transfer rates due to differing densities. An extensive literature review examines blended combustion, focusing on hydrogen/methane mixtures. While industrial burners claim to accommodate up to 20% hydrogen, theoretical support is lacking. A novel thermodynamic analysis methodology is introduced, evaluating methane/hydrogen combustion using the Wobbe index. The findings highlight practical limitations beyond 25% hydrogen volume, necessitating a shift to “totally hydrogen” combustion. Blended combustion can be proposed as a medium-term strategy, acknowledging hydrogen’s limited penetration. Higher percentages require burner and infrastructure redesign.