This WP focuses on the exploitation of hydrogen as an energy source, aiming at the development of new knowledge and disruptive concepts of hydrogen combustion equipment allowing modelling of high added value products, the development of new industrial processes and the development of sustainable solutions that enable the applicability/massification of hydrogen combustion solutions ensuring efficiency and safety indices. In particular, the design, development and industrialisation of hybrid gas and hydrogen firing appliances of high technological content, with the capacity to be marketed in the global co-promoters markets, is expected.
These very low-emission appliances are part of an energy transition perspective, as an intermediate/complementary step towards future zero-emission solutions, whereas, in view of the current housing stock and energy scenario, it would be impossible to consider a full/immediate transition (i.e. constraints on hydrogen supply networks and the need for fossil fuels). These products represent an immediate contribution to the extension of domestic solutions of greater environmental rationality, directed to markets with constraints on access to alternative energy sources or to specific applications associated with the housing stock, in particular in the field of thermal efficiency.
The main activity of this WP is the "Combustion Equipment with H2" initiative, which aims at the design, development and industrialisation of new water heaters and boilers prepared for a new energy reality where hydrogen will make an increasing contribution, based on innovative production processes, based on automation concepts, robotics, automated identification, artificial intelligence.
This WP also includes structural solutions for incorporation into these products, including high-efficiency/safety coating solutions, including design, development and industrialisation of new cork composite solutions for the coating of hydrogen tanks and for sealing distribution networks.
In addition, the focus on domestic applications associated with food preparation, as embodied in the design initiative, should be highlighted, development and industrialization of a new structural concept of prepared furnace for the burning of gaseous mixtures containing different hydrogen concentrations.
Development of new families of hybrid burning products suitable for hydrogen exploration. The objective is the materialization of new product concepts compatible with gas, hydrogen and biomethane blends, with an incidence of H2 up to 20%, namely, gas heating boilers, fan pressurized airtight water heater platform and atmospheric gas heater.
In this context, it should be noted that the use of H2 presents cross-cutting technological challenges and the level of applicability/development of new materials. This is an extremely light and energy-efficient gas, but it is extremely flammable and difficult to contain, showing strict constraints and requirements in the field of production safety, handling, transport and use. The main causes of accidents are due to problems with corrosion, H2 vaporization and excessive pressurization.
Development of two new furnace cavities prepared to incorporate burners of gaseous mixtures containing different percentages of H2, implying rethinking the concept of traditional furnace, and adjacent mechanisms. These cavities incorporate sensors and control and safety devices required for the use/combustion of mixtures containing H2 and are optimised for energy efficiency (selection and arrangement of thermal insulation devices and materials and changes to the materials used on the furnace walls) and to the volume made available for cooking food.
The product aligns with the Internet of Things paradigm, integrating a controller that represents multiple possibilities at the level of SMART characteristics, communication capabilities, programming, integration in the Home Automation, monitoring and remote control. The development of an intelligent application including a set of remote monitoring and control features is foreseen.
