Characteristics of a Non-Premixed Rotating Detonation Combustor Using Natural Gas-Hydrogen Blend at Elevated Air-Preheat Temperature and Backpressure

Conference · Wed Nov 21 04:00:00 EST 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2018-88569· OSTI ID:1763725

Roy, Arnab ^[1]; Ferguson, Donald ^[2]; Sidwell, Todd ^[2]; Strakey, Peter ^[2]

---

1. West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVU)
2. NETL

Operational characteristics of an air breathing Rotating Detonation Combustor (RDC) fueled by natural gas-hydrogen blends are discussed in this paper. Experiments were performed on a 152 mm diameter uncooled RDC with an inlet to combustor area ratio of 0.2 at elevated inlet temperature and combustor pressure while varying the fuel split between natural gas and hydrogen over a range of equivalence ratios. Experimental data from short-duration (~6sec) tests are presented with an emphasis on identifying detonation limits and exploring detonation stability with the addition of natural gas. Although the nominal combustor used in this experiment was not specifically designed for natural gas-air mixtures, significant advances in understanding conditions necessary for sustaining a stable, continuous detonation wave in a natural gas-hydrogen blended fuel were achieved. Data from the experimental study suggests even with natural gas consisting of as little as 5% of the total fuel supply (with hydrogen), an increase in combustor backpressure (pre-combustion) is required for stable operation. Additional observations indicate that an increase in air inlet temperature (up to 204°C) at atmospheric conditions significantly affects RDC performance by increasing deflagration losses through an increase in the number of combustion (detonation/Deflagration) regions present in the combustor. Combining the results from this limited experimental study with our theoretical understanding of detonation wave fundamentals provides a pathway for developing an advanced combustor capable of replacing conventional constant pressure combustors typical of most power generation processes with one that produces a pressure gain.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
• OSTI ID: 1763725
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English