Numerical Simulation of the Process of Combustion of a Stoichiometric Hydrogen-Oxygen Mixture in a Steam Generator

Abstract

Numerical methods are used to study the process of combustion of a stoichiometric hydrogen-oxygen mixture. The mathematical models were validated using experimental data. The combustion process is modelled in the three-dimensional unsteady formulation. With account of the recommendations of other authors, the turbulent flows are described in the paper using the standard k-ε turbulence model. The Eddy Dissipation Model (EDM) is used to describe the process of combustion of the hydrogen-oxygen mixture. The description of the complex heat transfer between the gas, flame and walls in the paper accounts for radiant heat transfer by using the P1 model. The paper deals with combustion processes in a burner and a model steam generator. Numerical methods were used to evaluate the effect of inlet flow turbulisation, and the flow rate and the method of feeding extra water to the combustion chamber on the process of combustion of the stoichiometric hydrogen-oxygen mixture. The influence of the design and operating mode factors on the alteration of the flame-steam interface and on the flame extinguishing conditions were studied. The results obtained can be used in future in designing equipment that uses hydrogen as a fuel to increase nuclear power plant (NPP) manoeuvrability.