The award-winning paper, titled “Internal Flame Structures of Thermo-Diffusive Lean Premixed H₂/Air Flames with Increasing Turbulence”, is a collaborative effort led by Dr. Tao Li and Shuguo Shi, together with Prof. Dirk Geyer from Hochschule Darmstadt and Dr. Robert Barlow. Their novel research comprehensively explores the flame structure of lean hydrogen combustion subject to extremely turbulent flows, employing advanced multi-physics laser diagnostics, including Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), OH-Laser-Induced Fluorescence (OH-LIF), Raman/Rayleigh spectroscopy. The paper is now online and can be found here.

Key Findings and Significance

For the first time experimentally, our team demonstrated that increasing turbulence leads to a transition to a distributed burning regime in thermo-diffusive lean hydrogen flames. This discovery provides essential insights into the unique behavior of lean hydrogen flames, which are critical for the development of clean and efficient hydrogen-based energy systems. The findings revealed high potential for the next-generation lean hydrogen combustion technologies, offering valuable insights into reducing emissions and supporting the energy transition with sustainable solutions.

About the Distinguished Paper Award

The Distinguished Paper Award is a highly competitive honor, selected biennially from among the scientific papers presented during the International Symposium on Combustion and accepted for publication in the Proceedings of The Combustion Institute. One paper is chosen for each represented colloquium as the most distinguished in quality, achievement, and significance. This award not only celebrates the scientific rigor and innovation of the research but also recognizes its impact on the field of combustion science. Furthermore, Dr. Tao Li was honored with the prestigious Bernard Lewis Fellowship, recognizing his pioneering contributions to combustion laser diagnostics and his outstanding achievements as a young research in the field.

A Commitment to Excellence in Combustion Research

The Reactive Flows and Diagnostics Group at TU Darmstadt, in partnership with the ODEE lab from Hochschule Darmstadt, continue to be at the forefront of combustion research. Our current research projects focus on highly relevant topics such as lean-premixed hydrogen combustion, multi-regime hydrogen combustion, and pre-cracked NH3 turbulent combustion. By leveraging state-of-the-art experimental techniques and advanced laser spectroscopy, the group is deepening our fundamental understanding of chemically reactive flows. These efforts are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also paving the way for transformative solutions in industrial decarbonization and sustainable energy systems.