Basic thermodynamics of FLOXCOM, the low-NO x gas turbines adiabatic combustor

Abstract

The FLOXCOM Project is aimed to develop technology for clean and efficient gas turbines, operating at high temperatures. It is based on the technologically innovative combustion solution––flameless oxidation. The investigation is directed towards the validation of engineering feasibility of the flameless oxidation technology for the production of operating pilot combustors that will demonstrate, advantages including among others, improved performance relating to low NO x levels, maintaining uniform combustor wall temperatures, uniform fuel stream injection and more, resulting in an increased mean time between failure (MTBF) and reliability of the gas turbine. Combustion chambers for gas turbines and jet engines differ from conventional industrial furnace design by being “adiabatic” (without heat extraction inside the combustor) and by operating at elevated pressures. Consequently, the aero-thermodynamics of the internal flow requires a different approach. The present paper is concerned with the thermodynamic relationships of gas turbine flameless oxidation. A detailed analysis of the different operational scheme options is described. It is shown that the thermodynamic process and operational parameters within the present low-NO x gas turbine combustor are principally different to those of industrial furnace operating in the flameless oxidation mode of combustion.