Hydrogen Combustor Integration Study for a Medium Range Aircraft Engine Using the Dry-Low NOx “Micromix” Combustion Principle

Abstract

Abstract The feasibility study presents results of a hydrogen combustor integration for a Medium-Range aircraft engine using the Dry-Low-NOx Micromix combustion principle. Based on a simplified Airbus A320-type flight mission, a thermodynamic performance model of a kerosene and a hydrogen-powered V2530-A5 engine is used to derive the thermodynamic combustor boundary conditions. A new combustor design using the Dry-Low NOx Micromix principle is investigated by slice model CFD simulations of a single Micromix injector for design and off-design operation of the engine. Combustion characteristics show typical Micromix flame shapes and good combustion efficiencies for all flight mission operating points. Nitric oxide emissions are significant below ICAO CAEP/8 limits. For comparison of the Emission Index (EI) for NOx emissions between kerosene and hydrogen operation, an energy (kerosene) equivalent Emission Index is used. A full 15° sector model CFD simulation of the combustion chamber with multiple Micromix injectors including inflow homogenization and dilution and cooling air flows investigates the combustor integration effects, resulting NOx emission and radial temperature distributions at the combustor outlet. The results show that the integration of a Micromix hydrogen combustor in actual aircraft engines is feasible and offers, besides CO2 free combustion, a significant reduction of NOx emissions compared to kerosene operation.

Authors 4

1. H. H.-W. Funke Aachen

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachen University of Applied Sciences , Aachen, Germany

2. Nils Beckmann Aachen

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachen University of Applied Sciences , Aachen, Germany

3. Lukas Stefan Aachen

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachen University of Applied Sciences , Aachen, Germany

4. J. Keinz Aachen

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachen University of Applied Sciences , Aachen, Germany