Numerical Simulation Study of Hydrogen Blending Combustion in Swirl Pulverized Coal Burner

Hydrogen blending of pulverized coal in boilers is a promising technology. However, there are few studies on hydrogen blending in coal-fired boilers. In order to reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired boilers, this study investigates the co-combustion of pulverized coal and hydrogen in a swirl pulverized coal burner by numerical simulation. Itis shown that the burnout rate of fuel is 5.08% higher than that of non-hydrogen blended coal when the percentage of hydrogen blended is 5%. The water vapor generated by hydrogen blending not only leads to the formation of a low-temperature zone near the burner outlet; it also results in a prolonged burnout time of moist pulverized coal and a high-temperature zone near the furnace outlet. The greater the amount of hydrogen for blending, the higher the water produced. When 1–3% hydrogen is blended, the water vapor in the furnace reacts with the carbon to produce a large amount of CO. When the amount of hydrogen added to the furnace is more than 3%, the water content in the furnace rises, resulting in a lower temperature at the burner outlet and a decrease in the amount of CO produced. When 1–3% hydrogen is blended, the CO2 emission rises. The CO2 emission decreased by 1.49% for 5% hydrogen blending compared to non-hydrogen blending and by 3.22% compared to 1% hydrogen blending.