Decarbonizing combustion for a sustainable future
Climate change is an increasingly pressing reality, with consequences that are being felt more frequently than ever before. Faced with this challenge, several solutions are emerging, including hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen can be used instead of the carbon-based fuels currently used, in particular natural gas. However, since it emits no carbon monoxide/dioxide when burned, it is a carbon-free fuel. When hydrogen burns, it emits only water vapor.
However, one of the challenges lies in the technology used to produce this hydrogen in a carbon-free way. In recent years, several other technologies have made it possible to produce green hydrogen, such as water electrolysis coupled with a green electricity source.
The quantities of green hydrogen required to replace carbon fuels are enormous, and its availability for all applications is not guaranteed. That's why we believe that blending hydrogen into natural gas can reduce CO2 emissions while limiting the amount of hydrogen required.
To ensure stable hydrogen levels in the natural gas and safe operation of the combustion appliance, it is necessary to install a mixing system capable of performing these functions regardless of the operation of the gas appliance.
To meet the need for an efficient, reliable and safe control system, SUNTEC has developed the H2R stand-alone mixer, which ensures a hydrogen content adjustable between 1 and 60%, reducing combustion-related CO2 emissions by up to 30%. The H2R mixer is based on the principle of the Venturi effect: the flow of natural gas passing through the convergent part creates a pressure drop and thus sucks in the hydrogen. Regulation is provided by a pneumatic regulator comprising a servo-regulator and a specific regulating valve for hydrogen.
In the case of a modulating unit (variable output), the manually adjustable hydrogen content is kept constant regardless of the natural gas flow rate. The H2R mixer is also equipped with 2 pressure monitoring systems for hydrogen and natural gas to ensure safe operation of the heating system.
The H2R mixer can be retrofitted to existing natural gas appliances, and is capable of operating with up to 60% hydrogen. To date, several mixers have been installed in France and abroad for various applications: field test, training center, laboratory, etc. Eventually, the idea is to be able to offer this mixer to burner and boiler manufacturers, so that users can mix hydrogen into natural gas when it is available in sufficient quantities.
Development of the complete range is underway so that we can offer customers innovative products that best meet their needs in terms of decarbonizing combustion!