Experimental and Numerical Investigation of a FLOX Combustor Firing Low Calorific Value Gases

Abstract

A prototype flameless oxidation (FLOX) gas turbine combustor has been investigated experimentally and numerically. The combustor was operated with various Low Calorific Value gases. At the outlet main component and emission measurements (CO and NO) have been performed. The influence of several parameters (i.e., fuel composition, outlet temperature, and nozzle diameter) on the emissions have been investigated. Ultralow emissions (single digit) have been achieved. Moreover, axial temperature profiles in the combustion chamber have been measured with a suction pyrometer. The combustor has been simulated with a commercial CFD code (FLUENT 6.3) to gain insight in the combustion characteristics. Using the Eddy Dissipation Concept model for turbulence-chemistry interaction in combination with the Reynolds Stress model for turbulence and two different chemistry mechanisms, the measured temperature profiles have been reasonably well reproduced. In postprocessing mode different NO formation paths have been studied.

Keywords:

• Flameless oxidation
• Gas turbine combustor
• NO_x

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research was partly funded by the European Commission within the sixth framework, project BioPro (SES6-CT2003–502812) and by the Technology Foundation STW. Also Francesco Ferioli, Daniel Vaz, Marcin Siedlecki, and Duco Bosma are kindly acknowledged for their contribution.