ASME Turbo Expo 2026 Presentation: A High-Fidelity Modeling Tool to Support the Design of Low-Emission Ammonia-Fueled Combustors

Conference: ASME Turbo Expo
Title: A High-Fidelity Modeling Tool to Support the Design of Low-Emission Ammonia-Fueled Combustors
Presenter: Andrea Zambon
Date: Thursday, June 18
Session: 04-18 Ammonia Emissions I
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Abstract: As a carbon-free fuel, ammonia represents an attractive green fuel choice for power generation with zero-carbon emissions. However, key technical challenges need to be first addressed in order design stable, high-efficiency and low-NOx ammonia-fueled gas turbines. For instance, strict limits on nitric oxide emissions need to be satisfied. Also, compared to hydrocarbon fuels, combustion with ammonia tends to be less robust. In this regard, high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling can play a key role in terms of providing meaningful physical insights and guiding the design process. In this paper a computational design support tool based on the multi-physics CRUNCH CFD® code is leveraged to explore and characterize the design space at various levels of fidelity. CRUNCH CFD® offers advanced turbulent combustion modeling capabilities, including the Thickened Flame Model, a well-established turbulent combustion model for application to premixed flow. Parametric studies were carried out to characterize flame stability and emission profiles for a prototypic swirl-stabilized rich-lean 2-stage combustor concept fueled by neat gas-phase ammonia. Within the context of a multi-fidelity analysis framework, extensive trade studies explored the effects of primary and global equivalence ratios, pressure, wall heat losses, residence time, and extent of mixing on flame structure and emission trends. Model predictions are compared against available validation test data indicating satisfactory agreement.

Presentation Number: GT2026-176277

Authors: Andrea Zambon, Antonio Cepero, Timothy Weathers, Ashvin Hosangadi, William Calhoon Jr.