NOX formation from hydrogen mixtures

Nitrogen oxides formation from H2 and H2/CH4 mixtures

Context and Objectives

The current energy transition is witnessing hydrogen and natural gas as two of the main actors to gradually release the dependence from oil and coal. Although being considered among the “cleanest” fuels, the formation of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) resulting from their combustion is unavoidable, because of Thermal and Prompt mechanisms. In this thesis, a fundamental investigation of the elementary steps bringing to NOx formation will be performed. The obtained rates will be then integrated into a detailed kinetic mechanism, which will be benchmarked in both conventional and novel (MILD, flameless) operating conditions.

Methods and Tools

OpenSMOKE++ suite for ideal reactor simulations, theoretical and semi-empirical approaches to the estimation of kinetic rates, Python post-processing tools.