A Numerical Simulation Study on the Combustion of Natural Gas Mixed with Hydrogen in a Partially Premixed Gas Water Heater
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Modeling of Partially Premixed Gas Water Heaters
2.1. Area of Study: Modeling
2.2. Research Area: Mathematical Models
- (1)
- The laminar flow FGM table was developed using the FGM method and a chemical reaction mechanism.
- (2)
- Integrating the laminar flow FGM table with the hypothetical PDF yields the turbulent FGM table.
- (3)
- The turbulent FGM table that was produced was incorporated into the CFD program for computation. The representation of any physical quantity in laminar combustion can be expressed as a PDF that combines mixed fractions and process variables. This PDF can be derived using the following formula:
2.3. Methods of Calculation and Verification through Simulation
2.4. Boundary Conditions and Calculation Conditions Setting
2.5. Validation of Simulation
3. Analysis of Natural Gas and Hydrogen Combustion Outcomes
3.1. Impact of Hydrogen Blending Ratio on Combustion Temperature and Stability
3.2. Analysis of Products Resulting from Hydrogen-Doped Combustion
- (1)
- In the process of using gas water heaters, it is advisable to minimize the number of switches.
- (2)
- During the installation process of a gas water heater, it is crucial to ensure that the air inlet remains unobstructed and that there is sufficient air intake. This is essential for the proper functioning and safety of the water heater.
- (3)
- Timely maintenance of the components of a gas water heater is crucial.
4. Conclusions
- (1)
- Simulation results indicate that the temperature in the combustion chamber becomes more concentrated as the hydrogen doping ratio increases. Specifically, the high-temperature range is most concentrated when the hydrogen doping ratio is between 10 and 40%. Furthermore, as the hydrogen doping ratio increases, the temperature distribution in the combustion chamber becomes more uniform. The addition of hydrogen leads to rapid combustion, resulting in a concentration of high temperatures mainly at the inlet of the combustion chamber. This phenomenon may accelerate the aging of gas appliances.
- (2)
- Through simulating and observing the changes in NOx levels within the combustion chamber, it was determined that the introduction of methane mixed with hydrogen leads to a slight increase in NOx emissions. This increase is attributed to the rise in temperature within the combustion chamber resulting from the addition of hydrogen. It was observed that when the blending ratio of hydrogen is below 20%, there is an increase in NOx emissions, albeit at a minimal level. Furthermore, combustion efficiency increased by 11.7% compared to using pure natural gas. Therefore, it can be concluded that a hydrogen blending ratio of 20% is optimal for this process.
- (3)
- The impact of reducing CO emissions is most noticeable following natural gas blending. The reduction in CO levels will decrease by 10–20% for every 10% increase in H2 at hydrogen blending ratios ranging from 0 to 40%, with the most significant reduction occurring at a hydrogen blending ratio of 20%. This can be attributed to two factors. Firstly, the generation of CO is a result of the incomplete combustion of carbon, and the inclusion of H2 can effectively reduce its production. Secondly, the combustion temperature rises as the hydrogen doping ratio increases, leading to a more complete combustion process and further reduction in CO levels.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Hydrogen Blending Ratio | Fuel | Oxidizing Agent | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Component | Flow Rate (kg·s−1) | Primary Airflow (kg·s−1) | Blending Gas Flow Rate (kg·s−1) | |
0 | 100%CH4 0%H2 | 0.00044 | 0.005 | 0.007 |
0.1 | 90%CH4 10%H2 | 0.00043 | 0.005 | 0.007 |
0.2 | 80%CH4 20%H2 | 0.00042 | 0.005 | 0.007 |
0.3 | 70%CH4 30%H2 | 0.0004 | 0.005 | 0.007 |
0.4 | 60%CH4 40%H2 | 0.00036 | 0.005 | 0.007 |
Profundity | 5 mm | 10 mm | 15 mm | 20 mm | 25 mm | 30 mm | 35 mm | 40 mm | 45 mm | 50 mm | 55 mm | 60 mm | 65 mm | 70 mm | 75 mm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Measured value | 761 | 1064 | 971 | 1111 | 1146 | 1010 | 1013 | 1142 | 1142 | 976 | 1121 | 1142 | 1021 | 1021 | 1164 |
Simulated value | 758 | 903 | 988 | 1003 | 1178 | 988 | 1020 | 1138 | 1138 | 933 | 1128 | 1138 | 1048 | 1048 | 1108 |
error | −0.3% | −5% | 1.7% | −8.8% | 2.7% | −2.1% | 0.6% | −0.35% | −0.35% | −4.4% | 0.6% | −0.3% | 2.6% | 2.6% | −4.8% |
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Li, S.; Li, X.; Jin, H.; Liu, Y.; Wu, Y. A Numerical Simulation Study on the Combustion of Natural Gas Mixed with Hydrogen in a Partially Premixed Gas Water Heater. Energies 2024, 17, 4069. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17164069
Li S, Li X, Jin H, Liu Y, Wu Y. A Numerical Simulation Study on the Combustion of Natural Gas Mixed with Hydrogen in a Partially Premixed Gas Water Heater. Energies. 2024; 17(16):4069. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17164069
Chicago/Turabian StyleLi, Siqi, Xiaoling Li, Hanlin Jin, Yi Liu, and Yuguo Wu. 2024. "A Numerical Simulation Study on the Combustion of Natural Gas Mixed with Hydrogen in a Partially Premixed Gas Water Heater" Energies 17, no. 16: 4069. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17164069
APA StyleLi, S., Li, X., Jin, H., Liu, Y., & Wu, Y. (2024). A Numerical Simulation Study on the Combustion of Natural Gas Mixed with Hydrogen in a Partially Premixed Gas Water Heater. Energies, 17(16), 4069. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17164069