Ansaldo Energia and Equinor collaborate on validation of 100% hydrogen gas turbine combustor

Compared to natural gas the main challenge of hydrogen combustion is its increased reactivity resulting in

a decrease of engine performance for conventional premix combustion systems. The sequential combustion system helps Ansaldo Energia’s GT36 and GT26 gas turbines helps the burning of the full range of hydrogen in a low NOx premix system.

The GT36 H-class gas turbine combustor can be operated with a volumetric hydrogen content

in natural gas of 0 to 50%. Recent full-scale high-pressure tests showed the feasibility of operating up to

70% hydrogen without power or efficiency derating and the possibility to burn up to 100%.

To further develop this fuel flexibility capability, Ansaldo Energia and Equinor have signed a collaboration agreement. The purpose of this collaboration is to advance the hydrogen combustion technology with fullscale, full pressure combustor validation tests. To this regard the main goals are the optimization for ultralow NOx emissions, operational flexibility and minimization of engine derating at very high hydrogen contents.

Equinor is co-funding these combustor testing activities for hydrogen.