Characterising premixed ammonia and hydrogen combustion for a novel Linear Joule Engine Generator.

A novel ammonia/hydrogen dual-fuelled Linear Joule Engine Generator (LJEG) is developed for medium to large scale power generations and electrification of ship propulsion systems. The characteristics of premixed ammonia/hydrogen combustion of the LJEG are investigated through chemical kinetic modelling. Three representative mechanisms are compared based on their accuracy of reproducing experimental results. With robust combustion and low N O x emission as the primary targets, laminar burning velocity, ignition delay and flame species concentration are investigated over a wide range of equivalence ratio (0.8 − 1.6) , hydrogen blending ratio (0.0 − 0.6) , oxygen content (0.21 − 1.00) , inlet temperature (300 K − 700 K) and pressure (1 b a r − 20 b a r). Rate of production (ROP) analysis is carried out to gain in-depth understanding of critical N O production and consumption pathways. The results indicate that an equivalence ratio around 1.1 is beneficial for both combustion robustness and N O x emission reduction. Both adding hydrogen in the fuel (40 % V o l) and enriching oxygen in the oxidizer (60 % V o l) promote burning velocity to the similar level of methane (37 c m / s). Explicit reduction of N O emission is observed when pressure increases, which can be attributed to the combination of N H i radicals. The findings show the potential of the ammonia and hydrogen fuelled LJEG for ultra-low emission power generation. • An ammonia fuelled Linear Joule Engine Generator is introduced. • Premixed ammonia combustion characteristics revealed under extensive conditions. • Elevated inlet pressure decreases both flame velocity and NO emission. • Oxygen enrichment benefits flame velocity, ignition delay and NO emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]