Design and Testing of an Ultra-Low NOx Gas Turbine Combustor

The design and initial rig testing of an ultra-low NO/sub x/ gas turbine combustor primary zone are described. A lean presized, swirl-stabilized combustor was evaluated over a range of pressures up to 10.7 x 10/sup 5/ Pa (10.6 atm) using natural gas. The program goal of reducing NO/sub x/, emissions to 10 ppm (at 15% 0/sub 2/) with coincident low CO emissions was achieved at all combustor pressure levels. Appropriate combustor loading for ultra-low NO/sub x/, operation was determined through emissions sampling within the primary zone. The work described represents a first step in developing an advanced gas turbine combustion system that can yield ultra-low NO/sub x/ levels without the need for water injection and selective catalytic reduction.