NOx reduction from a gas turbine combustor using exhaust gas recirculation

This paper describes laboratory tests performed on a combustion chamber typical of that now in use in large industrial gas turbines. The tests were designed to investigate the effects of EGR on NOx emissions from distillate and propane fuel. The results presented here show that substantial reductions in NOx concentration at the exit of the combustor are achievable without any modification to the combustion system. Additional reductions in NOx emission rate at the gas turbine exhaust are also obtained due to the reduced mass flow discharged to the atmosphere. NOx compliance with the proposed EPA New Source Performance Standards is possible due in part to the lowered exhaust oxygen concentration resulting from the lowered inlet oxygen concentration. The results from these tests confirm earlier data obtained with an atmospheric pressure turbulent diffusion flame spray burner, also presented here.