Hydrogen Energy Conversion

Air-breathing reciprocating engines and gas turbines fueled with hydrogen are treated with special concern for the problems each might encounter if used on a large scale. The potential improvements in performance of each power plant when operated with hydrogen are determined using prior analytical and experimental data andor new estimates. Particular attention is given to factors which might improve conversion efficiency and discount, at least partially, the relatively high cost of hydrogen energy. Previous operating experience and analysis of gas-turbine operation on hydrogen are considered. Hydrogen-fueled gas turbines are found, unlike reciprocating engines, to offer relatively modest thermodynamic performance gain compared with hydrocarbon fueling, though LH2 fueling has substantial potential undemonstrated for power-plant efficiency or reliability improvement through hot-section cooling andor heat regeneration. LH2 fuel-system problems with transient response as well as inavailability of suitable hardware are most evident, though probably resolvable by substantial state-of-the-art development.