Technical Applicability of Low-Swirl Fuel Nozzle for a Liquid-Fueled Industrial Gas Turbine Combustor

Abstract

This paper explores the technical applicability of a low-swirl fuel nozzle designed for use with a liquid-fueled industrial gas turbine combustor. Particle image velocimetry was applied to measure nozzle flow fields with an open methane-air premixed flame configuration. Herein we discuss the effects of the chamfer dimensions of the nozzle tip on flow characteristics. The profiles indicate parallel shifts in axial direction that depend on chamfer dimensions. When velocity is normalized by bulk velocity and plotted against axial distance from the virtual origins, the profiles are consistent. This means that chamfer dimensions primarily affect the axial position of the flame, while keeping other flow characteristics, such as global stretch rate, unchanged. Then, the atmospheric combustion test was conducted with kerosene in a single-can combustor. Lifted flame stabilization was confirmed by observing the flames through a window. Lastly, an engine test was performed to assess the technical applicability of the fuel nozzle under real engine conditions. The engine testbed was a 290 kW simple-cycle liquid-fueled gas turbine engine. The configurations of the fuel nozzle were consistent with the ones used in the PIV and the atmospheric combustion test. Wall temperatures close to the fuel nozzle exit were within the acceptable range, even without the cooling air required with conventional combustors. This is an advantage of the lifted flame stabilization technique. NOx emissions were below maximum levels set under current Japanese regulations (<84 ppm@15% O2). In sum, the proposed fuel nozzle design shows promise for use with liquid-fueled industrial gas turbine engines.