Through its participation in the Hy4Heat programme, Riello is helping to assess the potential for, and implications of, using 100% hydrogen in the UK gas network as a carbon-free alternative to natural gas.
Independent testing by Enertek International Ltd. indicates that Riello burners operate as reliably and efficiently with hydrogen as they do with natural gas – requiring only a change to the means of flame failure detection.
The Hy4Heat programme is sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and managed by ARUP+. It is divided into several work packages and Riello was asked to join a consortium and provide burners for Work Package 5, commercial appliances, which includes commercial air heaters and radiant heaters.
The burners supplied for the project were shown to provide comparable performance with hydrogen as with natural gas. Because there are no carbon oxidation ions produced in hydrogen combustion, the flame failure detection was changed from an ionisation probe to ultra-violet sensors, with a corresponding change to the burner control box. Subsequent development of the original control box now allows direct connection of a UV sensor in place of a flame ionisation probe, further simplifying any modification requirements when exchanging between the two fuels.
The test programme has now reached the point where the appliances are being assessed for EC Type Approval by a Notified Body.
A new ‘Publicly Available Specification’ (PAS4444) covering hydrogen appliance testing has been developed by BSi within the Hy4Heat programme so the testing is based on this and existing natural gas standards,” explained Riello Technical Director Bernard Dawson. “In fact, there are many factors that need be addressed if hydrogen is to replace natural gas, most of them outside our sphere of influence. So we are focusing on ensuring that safe, efficient combustion equipment is in place when the switch to hydrogen becomes reality,” he continued.
Further information:
www.rielloburners.co.uk
