Using hydrogen as gas turbine fuel: Premixed versus diffusive flame combustors

Matteo Gazzani*, Paolo Chiesa, Emanuele Martelli, Stefano Sigali, Iarno Brunetti

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This work aims at estimating the efficiency gain resulting from using lean premixed combustors in hydrogen-fired combined cycles with respect to diffusive flame combustors with significant inert dilution to limit NOx emissions. The analysis is carried out by considering a hydrogen-fired, specifically tailored gas turbine whose features are representative of a state-of-the-art natural gas-fired F-class gas turbine. The comparison between diffusion flame and lean premixed combustion is carried out considering nitrogen and steam as diluents, as well as different stoichiometric flame temperatures and pressure drops. Results show that the adoption of lean premixed combustors allows us to significantly reduce the efficiency decay resulting from inert dilution. Combined cycle efficiency slightly reduces from 58.5%-57.9% when combustor pressure drops vary in the range 3%-10%. Such efficiency values are comparatively higher than those achieved by diffusive flame combustor with inert dilution. Finally, the study investigated the effects of decreasing the maximum operating blade temperature so as to cope with possible degradation mechanisms induced by hydrogen combustion.

Original languageEnglish
Article number051504
JournalJournal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power
Volume136
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2014
Externally publishedYes

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