Part Load Operation of a Multiple-Injection Dry Low NOx Combustor on Hydrogen-Rich Syngas Fuel in an IGCC Pilot Plant

Abstract

The successful development of coal-based integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology requires gas turbines capable of achieving the dry low-nitrogen oxides (NOx) combustion of hydrogen-rich syngas for low emissions and high plant efficiency. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) has been developing a “multiple-injection combustor” to achieve the dry low-NOx combustion of hydrogen-rich syngas. This study suggests an advanced fuel staging comprising a hybrid partial combustion mode to improve the combustor’s part load performance. The purposes of this paper are to present the test results of the combustor with the advanced staging on a syngas fuel in an IGCC pilot plant, and to evaluate its performance. The syngas fuel produced in the plant contained approximately 50% carbon monoxide, 20% hydrogen, and 20% nitrogen by volume. In the test, the advanced staging reduced the maximum NOx at part load to 44 ppm (at 15% oxygen) compared with the initial staging with a maximum NOx of 75 ppm, and attained higher combustion efficiency above 98.7% over the part load range than the initial staging with combustion efficiency above 97.1%. In conclusion, the advanced staging improved the part load performance by achieving lower NOx emissions and higher combustion efficiency.