Original gas turbine manufacturers often prioritise new installations, providing opportunities for service providers like Sulzer to invest in engineering technology to offer viable alternatives for operators. To develop advanced service offerings for gas turbine upgrades, Sulzer works with specialist innovators such as Crosstown H2R.
By integrating an advanced micromixer into the existing combustion system, this technology is said to represent a step forward from conventional burner types. The upgrade, which can be carried out during scheduled overhauls, involves replacing the existing burner and preparing the entire combustion system to accommodate the new component, making the turbine capable of flexibly using multiple fuels e.g. from 100% natural gas to 100% hydrogen. Hydrogen, with a combustion flame speed around seven times faster than natural gas, necessitates a combustion system upgrade. A key technology is the burner, which is claimed to ensure seamless handling of any level of hydrogen fuel. The overall upgrade integrating the new burner ensures reliable and efficient operation.
Tim Schulten, division president of Sulzer Services, said: “By leading this development, we empower our customers to transition to zero carbon operations, without the need for complete and expensive engine replacements.”
The hydrogen combustion technology is slated for its first commercial implementation in the second half of 2024.