Theoretical and numerical study of the combustion properties of premixed hydrogen, natural gas, air at a subatmospheric pressure of 0.849 bar

Due to the energy transition worldwide, renewable energy sources complementary to fossil fuels are being sought. Considering that hydrogen generates only water when reacting with air, the application of hydrogen can play a leading and complementary role in the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This work conducts a theoretical and numerical evaluation of the effect of adding hydrogen to Natural Gas (NG) combustion. Eight fuels, from 0% H₂ up to 100% H₂, by volume, were evaluated in 15% intervals. The volumetric and mass air requirement, H₂O and CO₂ production, wet and dry combustion products, as added to the heating value, Wobbe index, flammability ranges, dew point, and specific gravity, were calculated for each mixture at stoichiometric conditions. Some premixed flame combustion properties were calculated numerically for equivalence ratios from 0.5 to 1.5, using Medellin's atmospheric conditions. These properties include the minimum ignition energy, critical quenching distance, diffusive thickness, laminar burning velocity, adiabatic flame temperature, flame structure, and ignition delay time. The latter property considered reagent preheat temperatures between 1000 K and 1600 K, finding an inverse relationship. Furthermore, increased hydrogen content showed an increase in flame temperature and laminar deflagration velocity, and a decrease in ignition delay time, flame thickness, critical quenching distance, and minimum ignition energy. Finally, the maximums and minimums of the properties considered were found to center at stoichiometric conditions for 100% natural gas, while the addition of hydrogen shifted the trend towards richer mixtures.