Effect of hydrogen addition to Natural gas in a domestic gas stove

The integration of hydrogen into urban natural gas networks represents a significant step toward the decarbonization of domestic appliances while offering a solution for storing surplus energy from intermittent renewable sources. This study investigates the impact of hydrogen addition on domestic cooktop burners, focusing on metallic component temperatures, and changes in the equivalence ratio (Φ) of the premixed mixture. A medium power domestic burner was analyzed experimentally, serving as a baseline for comparisons between methane (𝐶𝐻4 and methane/hydrogen mixtures, up to 50% 𝐻2 by volume in the fuel mixture was investigated. Experimental data were gathered using thermocouples strategically placed to measure the metal body temperature, gas temperatures at different heights within the burner, and surface and core temperatures of the burner cap at nominal power (𝑃𝑡ℎ=1.75 𝑘𝑊). A gas analysis system was used to analyze the fuel/air mixture's composition generated by the burner from which evaluate the effect of the hydrogen addition to the equivalence ratio (Φ). When using 100% 𝐶𝐻4 or Natural gas (NG) the experimental results show a decreasing temperature of the metallic part of the burner as the burner power (i.e. the fuel flow rate) increases, while an almost constant equivalence ratio around 2 was observed for the methane/air mixture generated inside the cooktop burner. On the other hand, 𝐶𝐻4/𝐻2 mixtures exhibit an increase in the temperature and an almost linear decrease of the equivalence ratio as the hydrogen percentage increases. This behavior is attributed to a flame closer to the burner and to reduced stoichiometric air requirements as the hydrogen percentage increases. These findings provide valuable experimental data to enhance CFD simulations for burners operating with methane and 𝐶𝐻4/𝐻2 mixtures, supporting the optimization of domestic energy systems for a hydrogen-integrated future.