Porous medium based burner for efficient and clean combustion of ammonia-hydrogen-air systems

Due to its high hydrogen density and extensive experience base, ammonia (NH3) has been gaining special attention as a potential green energy carrier. This study focuses on premixed ammonia-hydrogen-air flames under standard temperature and pressure conditions using an inert silicon-carbide (SiC) porous block as a practical and effective medium for flame stabilization. Combustion experiments conducted using a lab scale burner resulted in stable combustion and high combustion efficiencies at very high ammonia concentration levels over a wide range of equivalence ratios. Noticeable power output densities have also been achieved. Preliminary results of NOx emission measurements indicate NOx concentrations as low as 35 ppm under rich conditions. The remarkable capability of this specific burner to operate efficiently and cleanly at high ammonia concentration levels, which can easily be achieved by partial cracking of NH3, is believed to be a key accomplishment in the development of ammonia fired power generation systems.