Is there research on hydrogen use in combustion turbines, specifically as a single fuel in the turbine? The project in question plans use a high hydrogen fuel (refinery gas or similar, typically with 50-60% H2) in the turbine. There seems to be no experience in the turbine industry with starting and stopping a machine on hydrogen. Consequently, everyone is more than slightly gun shy about the potential for undesired consequences.

This is an interesting question because of the special considerations associated with the H2-air mixture flashback scenario during turbine startup and shutdown. In-line deflagration arresters and detonation arresters for H2-air mixtures are different than those for most other fuels and need to be certified for use with hydrogen. They are commercially available, and NFPA 69 has a good chapter on the different types and ratings of flame/deflagration/detonation arresters. Some companies and universities are working on hydrogen diffusion flame burners for turbines. 

The issue in this case is the stability of the hydrogen diffusion flame on the particular burner configuration, and the possible need for flame holders to prevent flame blowoff, particularly if the same burner is used for different fuels. Recent research literature indicates that the Germans are doing a lot of research in this area. It seems that starting with a very lean mixture and ramping it up slowly after combustion would be the best method. 

NFPA provides procedures for furnaces that may help. Some of these furnaces use pure hydrogen and startup/shutdown procedures may be useful in beginning the investigation. There is an article by Siemens that may help (Advanced Hydrogen Turbine Development, Ed Bancalari, Pedy Chan and Ihor S. Diakunchak, Siemens Power Generation Inc.) This article is for a blended hydrogen gas (from coal) not pure hydrogen. For pure hydrogen, there is a way to safely start the combustion chamber up, but the Panel is not aware of sequence, as many items, such as combustion chamber geometry, burner, air flow, etc., all effect the startup. Start with NFPA 2 furnaces and work from there.