COMBUSTOR INCLUDING A CYCLONE PRECHAMBER AND COMBUSTION PROCESS FOR GAS TURBINES FIRED WITH LIQUID FUEL

摘要

A combustor useful for combustion of initially liquid fuel to provide motive fluid for gas turbines is described. The combustor includes an air-swirling cyclonic prechamber having a wide-angle spray-cone liquid nozzle and opening to a downstream combustion chamber. The prechamber provides long residence time for liquid fuel being vaporized therein, short residence time for the resulting mixture of fuel vapor and air, and capability for minimal formation of nitrogen oxides.