Effect of a microturbine combustor type on emissions at lean premixed conditions

Abstract

The effect of combustor type, equivalence ratio, swirl number and power on NOx and CO emissions of a purposely built, lean premixed, laboratory scale model combustor with water cooled walls and center body, which simple geometry imitates combustors found in micro gas turbines, has been experimentally investigated in detail. The geometry of the premix section, combustor and the operating details are given. Air and gaseous propane were used as a fuel mixture. The tests have been performed at atmospheric conditions. The exhaust emissions of NOx and CO have been measured as a function of combustor type, equivalence ratio, swirl number and power and briefly discussed. The obtained data can be useful for the preliminary design of a micro turbine combustor and for the validation of CFD modeling of swirling, chemically reacting, one phase flows.