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Concerns about sustainability and combustion emissions associated with fossil fuels, combined with a volatile and uncertain market has heightened world interest in clean, renewable sources of energy. The technologies of Electric Jet, LLC continue to focus on the development of a hydrogen gas turbine that could be integrated with other clean renewable energy sources for a systemic approach to energy needs.

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Conference Papers published by Electric Jet, LLC team members.

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Electric Jet received their first approved patent for premixing injector for hydrogen gas turbines.

Resources

Conference Papers

Title: Instrumentation, Modeling, and Testing of a Gas Turbine Engine Using Lean Premixed Hydrogen Combustion

Authors: Matthew V. Perry, Jordan T. Farina, Stephen D. LePera, Walter F. O’Brien, Uri Vandsburger

Abstract: A Pratt and Whitney PT6A-20 turboprop engine has been modified to burn pure gaseous hydrogen in lean premixed mode. The modification of the engine’s combustor to allow premixed hydrogen-air combustion necessitated additional modifications to the engine and fuel system to provide a high level of feedback and control. An engine test rig has been assembled that includes a water brake dynamometer and a hydrogen supply system that allows safe, precise control of the fuel flow to the premixers. Additionally, instrumentation has been put in place to monitor the critical aspects of engine, premixer, and fuel system operation. Significant data has been gathered from engine runs on both Jet-A and hydrogen. A computer cycle analysis model has been created and used to examine the performance of the modified engine. The combination of engine test data and computer modeling provided insight into the operating conditions of the premixers in the modified engine, as well as the effects of the combustor modifications on engine performance.

Title: Design of a Lean-Premixed Hydrogen Combustor for a Gas Turbine Engine

Authors: Jordan T. Farina, Matthew V. Perry, Stephen D. LePera, Walter F. O’Brien, Uri Vandsburger

Abstract: High flame temperatures coupled with high flame speeds are the major concerns with operating a gas turbine on hydrogen. High temperatures lead to formations of pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and can potentially cause damage to critical engine components. Over the past few years, this group has developed various hydrogen premixers to combat these problems. The premixers are designed to have stable operation through a range of lean premixed operating conditions. Every iteration has been tested in a controlled laboratory environment and in a modified gas turbine engine. A design methodology has been created for both the hydrogen premixers and a combustion liner to successfully operate in a gas turbine. Each iteration has provided invaluable information for designing and developing a reliable lean premixed hydrogen gas turbine engine with zero carbon emissions and virtually no NOx. The most recent design is presented here.

The full text of these papers is available from www.aiaa.org