Motivation & Background

The transition to CO₂ free energy carriers requires new storage and energy-conversion technologies. In the European HYROPE research project (TU Darmstadt, ETH Zurich, CNRS Toulouse, NTNU Trondheim) a two-stage combustion concept for gas turbines is being investigated. Such turbines, used to stabilize power grids, can operate either on hydrogen, ammonia, or natural gas, depending on the fuel availability. In hydrogen operation, the flame in the second stage is stabilized by injecting additional fuel into the hot exhaust of the first stage. The physical processes that determine flame stability in the second stage are not yet fully understood and are the subject of current research.

The goal of the Master thesis is the design and construction of a test rig for hydrogen auto-ignition experiments. Special emphasis is placed on performing flame stability tests and flow measurements on suitable prototypes and on additive manufacturing of the burner by laser powder bed fusion

Tasks

• Familiarization with micromix-combustion fundamentals, flame stabilization and design principles of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF/M)
• Design of suitable prototypes and final design of the new burner
• Creation of a 3D-CAD model in Siemens NX
• Perform flame stability tests and flow measurements (PIV)