Optimizing a Hydrogen and Methane Blending System Through Design and Simulation

Hydrogen–methane gas mixtures are increasingly recognized as a viable path toward achieving carbon neutrality, leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates a novel static mixing device designed for blending hydrogen and methane, empl...

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Main Authors: Ştefan Ionuţ Spiridon, Bogdan Florian Monea, Eusebiu Ilarian Ionete
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Fuels
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/6/2/28
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author Ştefan Ionuţ Spiridon
Bogdan Florian Monea
Eusebiu Ilarian Ionete
author_facet Ştefan Ionuţ Spiridon
Bogdan Florian Monea
Eusebiu Ilarian Ionete
author_sort Ştefan Ionuţ Spiridon
collection DOAJ
description Hydrogen–methane gas mixtures are increasingly recognized as a viable path toward achieving carbon neutrality, leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates a novel static mixing device designed for blending hydrogen and methane, employing both experimental tests and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Hydrogen was introduced into a methane flow via direct injection, with experimental mixtures ranging from 5% to 18% hydrogen. The mixture quality was assessed using a specialized gas chromatograph, and the results were compared against simulated data to evaluate the mixer’s performance and the model’s accuracy. The system demonstrated effective blending, maintaining uniform hydrogen concentrations across the outlet with minimal variations. Experimental and simulated results showed strong agreement, with an average accuracy error below 2%, validating the reliability of the CFD model. Smaller nozzles (0.4 mm) achieved greater mixing uniformity, while larger nozzles (0.6 mm) facilitated higher hydrogen throughput, indicating trade-offs between mixing precision and flow capacity. The mixing device proved compatible with existing pipeline infrastructure, offering a scalable solution for hydrogen integration into natural gas networks. These findings underscore the mixer’s potential as a practical component in advancing the hydrogen economy and achieving sustainable energy transitions.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2673-3994
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Fuels
spelling doaj-art-57f90140a31046c9bdc5b17d52ee7d082025-08-20T03:27:22ZengMDPI AGFuels2673-39942025-04-01622810.3390/fuels6020028Optimizing a Hydrogen and Methane Blending System Through Design and SimulationŞtefan Ionuţ Spiridon0Bogdan Florian Monea1Eusebiu Ilarian Ionete2National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies—ICSI, 240050 Ramnicu Valcea, RomaniaNational Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies—ICSI, 240050 Ramnicu Valcea, RomaniaNational Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies—ICSI, 240050 Ramnicu Valcea, RomaniaHydrogen–methane gas mixtures are increasingly recognized as a viable path toward achieving carbon neutrality, leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates a novel static mixing device designed for blending hydrogen and methane, employing both experimental tests and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Hydrogen was introduced into a methane flow via direct injection, with experimental mixtures ranging from 5% to 18% hydrogen. The mixture quality was assessed using a specialized gas chromatograph, and the results were compared against simulated data to evaluate the mixer’s performance and the model’s accuracy. The system demonstrated effective blending, maintaining uniform hydrogen concentrations across the outlet with minimal variations. Experimental and simulated results showed strong agreement, with an average accuracy error below 2%, validating the reliability of the CFD model. Smaller nozzles (0.4 mm) achieved greater mixing uniformity, while larger nozzles (0.6 mm) facilitated higher hydrogen throughput, indicating trade-offs between mixing precision and flow capacity. The mixing device proved compatible with existing pipeline infrastructure, offering a scalable solution for hydrogen integration into natural gas networks. These findings underscore the mixer’s potential as a practical component in advancing the hydrogen economy and achieving sustainable energy transitions.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/6/2/28hydrogen economymethane–hydrogen mixtureblendingnumerical modellingstatic mixer
spellingShingle Ştefan Ionuţ Spiridon
Bogdan Florian Monea
Eusebiu Ilarian Ionete
Optimizing a Hydrogen and Methane Blending System Through Design and Simulation
Fuels
hydrogen economy
methane–hydrogen mixture
blending
numerical modelling
static mixer
title Optimizing a Hydrogen and Methane Blending System Through Design and Simulation
title_full Optimizing a Hydrogen and Methane Blending System Through Design and Simulation
title_fullStr Optimizing a Hydrogen and Methane Blending System Through Design and Simulation
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing a Hydrogen and Methane Blending System Through Design and Simulation
title_short Optimizing a Hydrogen and Methane Blending System Through Design and Simulation
title_sort optimizing a hydrogen and methane blending system through design and simulation
topic hydrogen economy
methane–hydrogen mixture
blending
numerical modelling
static mixer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/6/2/28
work_keys_str_mv AT stefanionutspiridon optimizingahydrogenandmethaneblendingsystemthroughdesignandsimulation
AT bogdanflorianmonea optimizingahydrogenandmethaneblendingsystemthroughdesignandsimulation
AT eusebiuilarianionete optimizingahydrogenandmethaneblendingsystemthroughdesignandsimulation