Inlet injection as an alternative, simplified method of hydrogen application in a miniature gas turbine

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Hydrogen-powered gas turbines have great potential, because, among other things, they allow the elimination of the use of fuels containing carbon in their composition, which involves the elimination of CO2 emissions, which are a product of the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. The paper presents the results of experimental research conducted on a miniature gas turbine co-powered by hydrogen gas. The aim of the research was to demonstrate the impact of the addition of hydrogen on the operation of the unit and exhaust gas emissions during hydrogen application in a way that does not require engine modification. This was accomplished by applying hydrogen gas through the turbine inlet. Hydrogen gas accounted for up to 0.91% of the total volume of gas flowing through the compressor, which resulted in hydrogen contributing almost 10% of the energy supplied to the engine in the form of fuel. The research focused on measuring fuel consumption, thrust, and temperature, as well as the composition of exhaust gases. The emission of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide were measured. The addition of hydrogen resulted in a reduction of the total mass of fuel consumed by over 18%. It led to a significant decrease in the temperature behind the combustion chamber with an increase in the amount of hydrogen applied. The addition of hydrogen also resulted in a reduction in CO2 concentration in exhaust gases by more than 30%, but at the same time, an increase in NOx emissions was recorded. The obtained results were compared with the results of tests presented in the literature, in which hydrogen was supplied to units of analogous structure in a classical way, i.e. directly to the combustion chamber.