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Flame stability and emission characteristics of oxygen-enriched ammonia combustion in a swirl combustor

Author

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  • An, Zhenhua
  • Wang, Ruixiang
  • Mao, Runze
  • Xing, Jiangkuan
  • Zhang, Meng
  • Chen, Zhi X.
  • Kurose, Ryoichi

Abstract

Ammonia, as a carbon-free fuel, has garnered significant attention. However, its low flame speed results in poor combustion stability, posing challenges for its application in gas turbines (GTs). This study performs large eddy simulations to investigate the flame stability and emission characteristics of oxygen-enriched ammonia combustion in a single-swirl combustor. The oxygen content is varied from 21% to 35%. Particle image velocimetry and OH planar laser-induced fluorescence techniques are employed to validate the simulations. Results indicate that increasing oxygen content transitions the flame from a V-shape to an M-shape, significantly enhancing the heat release rate and extinction strain rate, thereby enhancing the flame stability. During the blow-off process, the flame temporarily produces higher emissions of N2O and NO2. Moreover, oxygen-enriched combustion increases NO and NO2 but reduces N2O. As the oxygen content increases from 21% to 35%, the mass fraction of NO increases from 0.0015 to 0.0097. Reaction pathway analysis reveals that when oxygen content is below 30%, increasing oxygen enhances the formation of thermal NO and fuel NO. However, when oxygen content exceeds 30%, further increases in oxygen primarily promote the formation of fuel NO. This study provides theoretical guidance for the application of oxygen-enriched ammonia combustion in GTs.

Suggested Citation

  • An, Zhenhua & Wang, Ruixiang & Mao, Runze & Xing, Jiangkuan & Zhang, Meng & Chen, Zhi X. & Kurose, Ryoichi, 2025. "Flame stability and emission characteristics of oxygen-enriched ammonia combustion in a swirl combustor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:324:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225014719
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135829
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    References listed on IDEAS

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