The Effect of Fuel Sprays on Emissions from a Research Gas Turbine Combustor

Abstract

Abstract In this program, a research gas turbine combustor is used to study the influence of individual variables (in particular, fuel spray characteristics) on the local level of emissions species concentrations within the primary zone flame. The unique combustor is designed to provide realistic conditions and to allow for independent control of drop size, fuel-air ratio, residence time, air inlet temperature, pressure and reference velocity. This is one of the few combustors in which the residence time has been measured and controlled. The simple flow pattern, with no large scale recirculation, allows for unambiguous interpretation of results Measurements were made of the local concentrations of NOx, CO and unburned hydrocarbons, the local gas temperatures and, using laser velocimetry, local gas velocity and turbulence levels. To explain the unexpectedly high levels of hydrocarbons and low flame temperatures that were observed, it is believed that the spray burns in a manner similar to a gaseous turbule...