Combustion characterization of hybrid catalytic fuelled with methane and hydrogen mixtures

The novel concept of hybrid catalytic combustion based on Catalytic Partial Oxidation + homogeneous flame combustion was tested for the first time with fuel mixtures of methane and hydrogen. CPO experiments were run to elucidate the effect of the progressive substitution of CH4 with H2 in the fuel feed. Furthermore a prototype radiant hybrid burner was safely operated and characterized with up to 80% vol. of H2 in the fuel and a primary equivalence ratio in the range 2.4 - 4.0. Outstanding NOx emission levels were attained due to the effective reduction of both thermal and prompt NOx formation.