E-Fuels for Low Emission Gas Turbine Combustors

Gas turbines are essential components of the future energy mix, with direct applications in power generation, gas compression, marine and aerospace propulsion. To address environmental challenges and meet stringent regulatory limits on the emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, manufacturers are developing turbines that can operate with e-fuels, such as methanol, which offers a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Although existing gas turbines offer considerable fuel flexibility, operation with these non-conventional fuels is still challenging due to issues of significant changes in flame behaviour, ignition characteristics and pollutant formation.

This EPSRC industrial CASE studentship supported by Siemens Energy involves an experimental investigation to study combustion characteristics of e-fuel (methanol) sprays relevant to modern gas turbines. Advanced optical diagnostic techniques will be extensively employed in the project to study influence of fuel and spray properties on flame micro- and macrostructure characteristics and dynamics using highly resolved, non-intrusive laser diagnostic techniques such planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF), planar image velocimetry (PIV), laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), etc.

The project will also have an emphasis on the design and development of experimental infrastructure and methodology. The scientific outcomes from this project have the potential to positively influence the product development of the industrial partner, Siemens Energy, in the short- to medium- term, and in the long-term, help in the development of low-carbon gas turbines.