Design of Reactor Network Experiments to Optimize Combustor Staging in Gas Turbines

Hydrogen-enriched fuel blends have grown in interest for use in land-based gas turbines. Its lower carbon content and reduced greenhouse gas emission potential when compared to neat natural gas make it an interesting fuel. However, hydrogen also poses a greater risk of flashback due to its high flame speed. This prompted increased research into the effects of hydrogen addition on flame characteristics, NOx emissions, combustion efficiency, and lean blowout. Chemical Reactor Networks (CRN) are efficient and effective tools used in combustor modeling. They commonly utilize Well-Stirred Reactor and Plug-Flow reactors to model recirculation and post-flame zones. However, experimental setups replicating CRNs are not found in the literature. Here, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, we present the first CRN experimental facility design. This work covers the design of a high-pressure CRN used to evaluate various combustion staging strategies like Lean Pre-mixed, Rich-Quench Lean, and Exhaust Gas Recirculation experimentally.