Our hydrogen laboratory is attracting increasing attention from key leaders in the modern energy sector. Recently, as part of an international project, we were visited by representatives from the Institute of Energy (IEn). During the study visit, we presented our infrastructure to the guests and discussed key areas and potential directions for future partnership. We are pleased that our commitment to the development of hydrogen technologies is becoming a platform for building strong relationships with leading research institutes.
Hydrogen combustion technologies are gaining increasing interest in the industry due to their capability to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance energy efficiency. Hydrogen is a clean, renewable energy source, and its combustion significantly limits the emission of harmful compounds, thereby mitigating negative environmental impacts. These factors have driven hydrogen technologies to also find applications in aviation, where they can be utilized for turbojet engine propulsion or as fuel for fuel cells.
Consequently, our engineering office has completed works related to the design and manufacturing of a fully functional test rig for burning hydrogen-based mixtures equipped with a combustion chamber, which enables studying the process effects on the structure of materials and material coatings. The scope of work involved preparing thermodynamic, mechanical, and electrical designs, which moved to execution upon final approval, resulting in the ultimate creation of a test rig adapted for burning a mixture of hydrogen and an oxidant (air and/or oxygen). Fuel and oxidant are delivered to the mixing chamber via independent supply lines that control pressure, temperature, and flow rate for each medium. The hydrogen mixture combustion process is executed within the combustion chamber, where the test specimen is mounted centrally relative to the burner nozzle.
Proximo Aero has designed and manufactured a test rig for quantitative and qualitative analyses of combustion processes within turbine combustion chambers utilizing hydrogen-based mixtures. As part of the execution, thermodynamic, mechanical, and electrical designs were developed, resulting in a fully functional research infrastructure that allows for conducting trials under conditions close to real-world operations. The rig enables testing burners mounted in three independent ports featuring varied angular orientations, and operates across a wide envelope of supply parameters and fuel mixtures. The system is equipped with an integrated control unit capable of remotely executing full test cycles and continuously monitoring operating parameters. An independent safety system and HMI ensure process control, data visualization, and safe rig operation.
Additionally, as part of the engineering works in the field of hydrogen technologies, Proximo Aero has designed and delivered a test rig for simulation testing of structural component vibrations. The rig enables the mounting of tested components, exposing them to a hydrogen flame, and validating operating parameters as well as material resistance under conditions replicating actual operation. This solution is utilized to evaluate the durability, stability, and behavior of components subjected to thermal and dynamic loads.
As part of the further development of hydrogen technologies, we plan to execute subsequent research and development (R&D) projects aimed at deepening knowledge and developing solutions related to hydrogen combustion and its applications regarding:
- Combustion process characteristics as a function of NOx emissions, including for alternative fuels (currently hydrogen + methane).
- Development of combustion technologies as a function of NOx minimization, including the use of additives (reducing agents).
- Investigation of the combustion process with multi-fuel supply systems.
- Conducting combustion process studies up to 100% H2 concentration.
- Testing under operating pressures up to 10 bar.
- Combustion process studies for multi-burner applications.
Scope of our services:
- design of test rigs and installations utilizing hydrogen technologies
- design of fuel installations and supply systems
- design of combustion chambers
- selection and integration of measurement instrumentation for process parameter and safety control
- design of control systems for combustion processes in hydrogen technologies
- implementation of control algorithms and automated test run sequences
- design and integration of independent safety systems (interlocks/ESD) for hydrogen installations
- integration of control systems with data acquisition (DAQ) and test results archiving systems.
As part of its research and development initiatives, Proximo Aero participated in and supervised hydrogen flame exposure testing of components and material specimens. The evaluations were carried out using both pure hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuel blends, enabling the assessment of material and component behavior under extreme thermal and direct flame conditions.
Have a Rigorous Requirement?
Speak directly with our engineering team to evaluate technical feasibility, constraints, and
system integration options for your next project.