A Numerical Analysis of Premixed Hydrogen–Methane Flame with Three Different Header Types of Combustor

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of thin-flame combustor design on hydrogen flame characteristics and combustion performance through numerical simulations. Differences in the flame shape and combustibility between pure methane and pure hydrogen combustion were analyzed. Three combustor header shapes (flat, concave, and convex) were modeled to assess the influence of header shape on flame behavior. The results revealed distinct flow patterns, with the concave header promoting strong central flows and the convex header dispersing the flow outward. Temperature field analysis indicated that the hydrogen flames had higher temperatures and shorter quenching distances than the methane flames. A comparative analysis of combustion products was conducted to evaluate combustion performance and NOx emissions. The findings showed that the concave header had a high combustibility, with hydrogen combustion producing greater temperatures and NOx fractions than methane combustion.

Keywords

• thin-flame combustor
• hydrogen flame
• methane flame
• numerical analysis
• premixed combustor