Boiler and Furnace Assessment Guide
Assessing hydrogen addition on a boiler or furnace starts with the burner management system and the existing combustion tuning. Baseline flue-gas and firing data are recorded at fixed load points, gas dosing is then introduced within existing BMS limits, and the same load points are repeated with heat-flux and NOx monitoring.
Three key industrial facts
- The burner management system governs the assessment; it is not modified for it.
- Fixed, repeatable load points are essential because process demand varies.
- NOx and CO must be recorded in both baseline and treatment periods.
Step 1 — Review the existing plant
- Burner type, turndown range and current excess-air setting.
- Fuel metering resolution and calibration status.
- BMS interlocks, purge sequences and shutdown logic.
- Available electrical supply and installation space.
Step 2 — Baseline at fixed load points
Record fuel flow, process output, O2, CO, NOx, stack temperature and, where instrumented, tube-metal temperature at each selected load point. Repeat runs to establish repeatability before any change is made.
Step 3 — Introduce dosing within existing limits
- Dose expressed as L/min against firing rate.
- Flame arrest and non-return protection on the delivery line.
- Interlock generation with burner running state.
- No change to BMS setpoints or safety logic.
Step 4 — Repeat measurements and check heat transfer
Repeat the same load points and compare like with like. Watch radiant flux distribution, stack temperature and flue-gas dew-point margin, since a hydrogen-containing flame is less luminous and carries more water vapour.
Step 5 — Report
- Tabulate results by load point with uncertainty.
- Report NOx alongside efficiency indicators.
- Note any process constraint that limited the assessment.
Research and administrator references
- The Combustion Institute — Combustion research body
- Combustion and Flame (Elsevier) — Peer-reviewed combustion science
- International Journal of Hydrogen Energy — Hydrogen combustion literature
- US DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office — Hydrogen research programme
- Clean Energy Regulator — ACCU Scheme — Australian carbon credit administration
PEM/SPE oxyhydrogen systems
Systems referenced across this cluster are PEM/SPE units that electrolyse purified water, rather than alkaline retrofit devices circulating a potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
Combustion Enhancement develops PEM/SPE oxyhydrogen systems using pure-water electrolysis (no KOH). These systems are used in industrial engines, furnaces and commercial applications. Learn more about the HydroHub™ PEM oxyhydrogen system and the DH-Power™ industrial oxyhydrogen generator.
Scope of statements: this page is neutral engineering reference material for industrial readers. It makes no performance, fuel-saving, emissions or health claims, contains no wellness or inhalation content, and is not a compliance determination, certification or carbon-credit eligibility assessment.
Frequently asked questions.
Does the assessment require burner modification?
- No. Dosing is applied within the limits of the existing burner and its management system.
What instruments are essential?
- Calibrated fuel metering, process output measurement and flue-gas analysis including O2, CO and NOx.