Development of Fuel-Flexible Combustion Systems Utilizing Opportunity fuels in GAS TURBINES

摘要

Gas turbines—heat engines that use high-temperature and high-pressure gas as the combustible fuel—are used extensively throughout U.S. industry to power industrial processes. The majority of turbines are operated using natural gas because of its availability, low cost, and reliability. However, a combination of recent factors, including volatility in fuel supply and pricing, global concerns about carbon emissions, and excess risk from heavy reliance on a single energy source, have made the utilization of natural gas substitutes such as industrial, municipal, and agricultural opportunity fuel sources very attractive from environmental and economic standpoints. Nevertheless, a major barrier to the utilization of opportunity fuels remains in the inability of industrial gas turbines to operate effectively when powered by such fuels.