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Combustion and Burner Technology

Combustion of fuels like natural gas, wood, gasoline and coal is the main source of heat and power worldwide, both in industry and in our private lives.

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Combustion is also a significant source of emissions to the atmosphere, of substances such as NOx, SOx, CO, CO2, soot and particulates.

We carry out research and development on burners that meet the strictest emission requirements for a wide range of applications – from household applications to gas turbines with hydrogen, ammonia and CCS – using a wide range of experimental and numerical tools, at both laboratory and pilot scale. We collaborate with users, manufacturers and authorities to improve combustion technology and develop new concepts, and are motivated by the need for more sustainable and efficient utilization of fuel resources with the lowest possible emissions.

We work within these areas:

  • Low emission burners (NOx, CO, soot, particulates), including hydrogen and ammonia
  • CCS
  • Burner and boiler systems in industrial processes such as metallurgy, petrochemicals and similar, including with ammonia as fuel

  • Stationary gas turbine combustion, including with hydrogen and ammonia as fuel

  • Wood stove technology
  • Experiments with test rigs at laboratory and pilot scale
  • Development of advanced numerical simulations of combustion processes (CFD)

Typical projects for us are:

  • Development of new concepts and prototypes for industry
  • Characterization of fuels, including ammonia, and their effect on emissions and process
  • Measurement assignments at customer sites, analysis and improvement measures
  • Third-party verification of combustion processes and technologies

The methods we use are:

  • Experimental facilities, from laboratory to pilot-scale combustion units (several kW up to 10 bar pressure), with advanced measurement capability (FTIR, GC, laser diagnostics) – part of ECCSEL RI
  • High level of expertise in both in-house developed, open source and commercial CFD codes and combustion kinetics

Why choose SINTEF?

Leading Norwegian research group within combustion, with solid experience in developing burners for conventional and forward-looking fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. Our network includes international academic collaboration, NTNU; we are members of the International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF), ETN Global, and Norwegian delegate for the IEA TCP on Sustainable Combustion.

Relevant projects:

  1. HIPROX (high pressure combustion facility)
  2. https://www.sintef.no/en/projects/2023/h2glass/

  3. https://www.sintef.no/en/projects/2023/decammp-decomposed-ammonia-for-carbon-free-power-generation/

  4. https://www.sintef.no/en/projects/2024/hypowergt/

  5. https://www.sintef.no/en/projects/2023/flex4h2-decarbonised-power/
  6. BIGH2 (Hydrogen and ammonia gas turbine)

 

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