Aluminum STEAM combustion for clean energy

Introduction

Metal fuels are emerging as a zero-carbon, high-energy density replacement for fossil fuels due to their availability and recyclability using renewable energy. Aluminum (Al) powder has been investigated mostly in air/O2 as an additive in solid rocket engines.

Recent Developments

Recently, Al continuous pressurized combustion in steam has attracted considerable interest for on-demand co-production of high-temperature heat and H2. Combustion in pressurized steam lowers flame temperatures and minimizes emissions of undesirable and hard-to-collect Al2O3 nanoparticles.

Research Gaps

Quantitative understanding of the dynamics of multi-phase and multi-scale Al-steam flames, driven by microscopic transport processes, phase changes, as well as homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactions at the particle level, is largely lacking.

Project Overview

A-STEAM will unravel the fundamental properties of pressurized Al-steam flames for the entire scientific chain, from single particles to turbulent flames with millions of particles, through a well-orchestrated combination of high-fidelity simulations, advanced modeling, and tailored experiments.

Methodology

We will combine and develop our unique computational capabilities in:

1. Fully resolved direct numerical simulations (FR-DNS) at the particle level
2. Novel particle-in-cell (PIC) models considering particle-attached/particle-detached flames and Al2O3 nanoparticle formation
3. Carrier-phase DNS (CP-DNS)
4. Large eddy simulations (LES) of turbulent confined flames

Expected Outcomes

The unique combination of numerical studies and tailored experiments will lead to a substantial breakthrough in knowledge by quantifying physicochemical processes in Al-steam combustion, bridging the gap between single particles and turbulent flames.

Impact on the Community

Our numerical-experimental database of reference Al-steam flames, together with science-based best practice guidelines for future Al burners, will also empower the broader metal fuel research community and guide future system design and implementation of this carbon-free technology.