Optical diagnostics applied to oxy-combustion flames of natural gas and biomethane and in the combustion of hydrogen and ammonia

• Grant number: 24/17767-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Guenther Carlos Krieger Filho
• Grantee: Danilo Almeida Machado
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP)
• Associated research grant: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I, AP.PCPE

Abstract

The mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and the engagement against global warming are pressing challenges of the 21st century. In this context, the development of combustion systems that are efficient and have low environmental impact emerges as an imperative need. This project objectives at the development of clean combustion technologies, employing oxy-combustion, in which carbon capture occurs after the burning of methane and biomethane, as well as in combustion systems that use ammonia and hydrogen as fuels. To achieve these objectives, the development and implementation of an advanced optical system that allows for the acquisition of data with high spatial and temporal resolution simultaneously is proposed. An innovative setup of optical diagnostic techniques, including Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF), Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), and the Schlieren technique, will be applied to investigate combustion dynamics in an integrated manner. This study will perform measurements in turbulent flames under various experimental conditions. Comparisons, employing different optical techniques for the calculation of Karlovitz and Damköhler numbers, will be conducted; experimental results will be compared with numerical models from the literature. From these data, it will be possible to validate burner prototypes and numerical models of combustion. The results of this project are expected to contribute significantly to the scientific literature, with publications in high-impact journals, in addition to establishing expertise in ammonia combustion in Brazil, carbon-free industrial combustion technologies, and the formation of a robust database.