Rich-Catalytic Lean-Burn Combustion for Low-Single-Digit NO_x Gas Turbines

摘要

A new rich-catalytic lean-burn combustion concept (trademarked by PCI as RCL) was tested at industrial gas turbine conditions, in Solar Turbines' high-pressure (17 atm) combustion rig and in a modified Solar Turbines engine, demonstrating ultralow emissions of NO_x < 2 ppm and CO< 10 ppm for natural gas fuel. For the single-injector rig tests, an RCL catalytic reactor replaced a single swirler/injector. NO_x< 3 ppm and CO< 10 ppm were achieved over a 110℃ operating range inflame temperature, including NO_x< 1 ppm at about 1350℃ flame temperature. Combustion noise was less than 0.15% peak to peak. Four RCL catalytic reactors were then installed in a modified (single can combustor) engine. NO_x emissions averaged 2.1 ppm over the allowable operating range for this modified engine, with CO< 10 ppm and without combustion noise (less than 0.15% peak to peak).