PhD in Ultra-Low NOx Hydrogen-Fuelled Gas Turbine Combustion Systems

Start date – 25/09/2023

Fee status of eligible applicants: UK / International

Duration of Award: 3 years

1st Supervisor: Dr Yiguang Li    2nd Supervisor: Dr Bobby Sethi

Sponsored by Cranfield University            

Current gas turbine engines use hydrocarbon fuels, such as kerosene, diesel and natural gas which inevitably produce CO2 and NOx emissions. To reduce their environmental impact, gas turbine engines may move from burning traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels to hydrogen fuel. This will eliminate exhaust CO2 emissions. However, gas turbine designers are facing technological challenges in designing low NOx hydrogen-fuelled combustion systems without compromising other performance and operability requirements such as combustion efficiency, pressure loss, durability, stability, resistance to flashback and more. The objective of this project is to investigate the design, performance and emissions characteristics of a novel hydrogen-fuelled, ultra-low NOx combustion system over an entire range of operating conditions. The analysis will be undertaken using multi-fidelity tools ranging from reduced order models to high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the Centre for Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering, Cranfield University, in the area of gas turbine combustors.  

During the EU Horizon 2020 ENABLEH2 project, Cranfield University conducted detailed numerical and experimental analyses on low-NOx H2 micromix combustion systems. For low NOx H2-micromix combustion systems, Cranfield University has:

• Established best practices for numerical simulations
• Assessed the impact of injector design parameters on flame interactions and NOx
• Demonstrated a hybrid manufacturing approach for intricate designs of fuel injectors
• Assessed performance and emissions in a high pressure and temperature combustion rig
• Demonstrated that low momentum flux ratio injector designs deliver the lowest NOx
• Demonstrated that they have lower risk of low frequency thermoacoustic instabilities than Jet A-1/SAF fuelled low NOx combustion systems, and that higher frequency modes may be relatively easily mitigated
• Demonstrated that altitude relight may be easier relative to Jet A-1 fuelled combustion systems
• Derived a reduced order NOx emissions prediction correlation for aircraft mission-level assessments including aircraft trajectory and engine cycle optimisation
• Estimated that LH2-fuelled aircraft may deliver 40-60% reductions in mission NOx relative to their Jet A-1/SAF counterparts.

The proposed research project will use the lessons learnt as a starting point to conceive, design and evaluate the performance and emissions of a novel ultra-low NOx hydrogen-fuelled combustion system. The analysis will be undertaken using multi-fidelity tools ranging from reduced order models to high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

It is expected the research will generate new design methods and knowledge for more environmentally friendly gas turbine combustors.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second-class UK honours degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or a relevant area. An MSc degree and/or experience in combustion, heat transfer, gas turbine performance, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) will be an advantage.    

Funding

Bursary to cover partial tuition fee for three years is available for both UK and non-UK candidates. The student should be responsible for his/her own living expenses (such as accommodation, travel, food, entertainment, insurance, etc).

How to apply

For further information please contact:      
Name: Dr Yiguang Li
Email: [email protected]      

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form .