Fuel-Water Emulsion as an Alternative Fuel for Gas Turbines in the Context of Combustion Process Properties—A Review

Abstract

Fuel with the addition of water, forming fuel-water emulsions, is a potential way to reduce the emission of pollutants from gas turbines powered by any liquid fuel. This article analyzes the available work on the combustion of fuel-water emulsions in gas turbines. The literature analysis was preceded by a theoretical introduction on fuel-water emulsion, taking into account the factors influencing its micro- and macroscopic properties. The basic features of the agents used to stabilize the emulsion were also discussed and the process of its combustion was described. The analyzed research differed in terms of the test stands on which the experiments were conducted, the fuel constituting the continuous phase of the emulsion, the amount of water contained in the mixture and the method of producing the emulsion. On the basis of the conducted analysis, conclusions were drawn concerning the influence of feeding a gas turbine with a fuel-water emulsion on the emission of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and exhaust smoke. Conclusions were formulated regarding the influence of the water additive to fuel-on-fuel consumption. In addition, the impact of the presence of water on the conversion of nitrogen contained in the fuel to nitrogen oxides was indicated, and areas requiring further research were presented.