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

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.