From combustion engine to hydrogen turbine, a giant step in the energy transition

he hydrogen Used as fuel It is used directly in engines as a clean alternative to fossil fuels in applications such as marine transportation, heavy trucks, trains and industrial applications, as the residue coming out of the exhaust pipe Does not generate greenhouse gases.

In the Internal combustion engines It burns in the engine room. The released energy is used to move the pistons which in turn generate mechanical motion. Turbine It converts combustion energy into direct rotational motion, without the need for reciprocating motion of the pistons. The fuel burns in the combustion chamber, and the gases expand through a series of rotating blades, causing rotation.

Hydrogen turbine, a step beyond the conventional combustion engine

The history of hydrogen turbines goes back several decades. Initial experiments for 19th century He showed that when oxygen is burned only water vapor is produced as a byproduct. as Twentieth century Turbines have been developed that use various types of fuel, including hydrogen, and have been primarily used in industrial applications and power generation.

The momentum of renewable energy and the need to reduce carbon emissions means that the use of green hydrogen in turbines to generate electricity has gained momentum. In the past decadesmaking significant advances in technology that is now more efficient and reliable

In hydrogen turbines, this gas is used as fuel instead of traditional fossil fuels, such as natural gas or oil. The operating principle is Combustion reaction of hydrogen with oxygen In the combustion chamber. The resulting combustion gases expand rapidly and are directed toward the turbine blades. Its rotary motion is converted into mechanical energy.

This mechanical energy can be used directly to drive an electrical generator coupled to a turbine shaft that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy which can be transferred to the electrical grid for use in homes, industries, or other applications. The only emission resulting from the combustion of hydrogen is Water vaporThis makes hydrogen turbines an environmentally friendly and carbon emissions-free option.

In addition, a control system is needed that regulates the mixture and speed of the turbine and auxiliary cooling, lubrication and filtering systems.

Europe is seeking a sustainable alternative through the FLEX4H2 project

European project Flex4H2 (Flexible, Large-Scale and Cost-Effective Hydrogen Production Units with Renewable Energy Generation) aims to develop and demonstrate innovative technologies for generating energy from hydrogen in a flexible and sustainable way.

This project seeks to address the challenges associated with integrating hydrogen production into renewable energy systems, in addition to improving efficiency and reducing hydrogen production costs.

It is funded by the European Union’s research and innovation framework programme, Horizon 2020, and many research institutions, companies and organizations from different European countries participate. And focuses on Developing flexible and scalable hydrogen production technologies Which can be effectively integrated with renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy, to provide sustainable energy solutions and contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector.

One of his goals is to prove that gas turbines can do this It operates flexibly with mixtures that can be up to 100% hydrogen. The technical challenges to be overcome are managing high temperatures and combustion rates, as well as reducing harmful emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx).

The project phases are technological development, testing, system validation and optimization and final large-scale demonstration in a real operating environment.

The first example of a real turbine

the Hydrogen turbine from the Italian company Ansaldo Energíawhich was installed in Germany, was able to work with mixtures containing up to 49% hydrogen. With the support of this European programme, it developed gt36, With what It seeks to bring technological development to the point where these turbines can do that Operates exclusively on hydrogen in the next three years, thus meeting expectations for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

It has the potential to generate more than 560 megawatts of powerwhich is enough to feed approx 500,000 homes. Gracias al diseño avanzado de su camara de combustión, que incorpora sistemas adicionales para lograr eficiencias superior operativos, la turbina ha demostrado una transición fluida de natural gas a hydrogeno, lo que subraya versatilidad operativo y su importancia en los esfuerzos de Europea abordar el Climate change.