Numerical investigation of counter-flow diffusion flame of biogas–hydrogen blends : Effects of biogas composition, hydrogen enrichment and scalar dissipation rate on flame structure and emissions

This study addresses numerically the influence of several operating conditions on the structure and NO emissions of a biogas diffusion flame. The analysis is conducted at atmospheric pressure in counter-flow configuration and mixture fraction space. CO2 volume in biogas is varied from 25% to 60%, H2 enrichment from 0% to 20% and the scalar dissipation rate from near equilibrium to near extinction. Particular attention is paid to CO2 chemical effect. CO2 contained in biogas can have chemical effects when it participates in chemical reactions and thermal effects when it acts like a pure diluent. Chemical effects of CO2 are elucidated by using the inert species technique. Flame structure is characterized by solving flamelet equations with the consideration of radiation and detailed chemistry. It is observed that flame properties are very sensitive to biogas composition, hydrogen addition and scalar dissipation rate. CO2 increment decreases flame temperature, mass fraction of chain carrier radicals and NO emission index. Blending biogas with hydrogen increases the mixture heating value and makes the fuel more reactive. Hence, chain carrier radicals and NO index emission are all increased. The chemical effect of CO2 is found to be present overall scalar dissipation rate values where it reduces the maxima of temperature and OH mass fraction and increases the maxima of CO and NO mass fractions. H2 enrichment has a weak influence on CO2 chemical effect. Hydrogen-rich biogas flames produce less NO at high scalar dissipation rates.