Abstract
Combustion characteristics of a prototype micro gas turbine combustor fueled by kerosene were investigated. In order to enhance a recirculation in a primary combustion zone, a swirler was set between the primary and secondary combustion zones. Primary combustion air was introduced through the swirler and forced to flow upward to the combustor bottom, from which the fuel spray was supplied through a nozzle. Fundamental combustion characteristics such as lean combustion limit, flame luminosity etc. showed that this prototype combustor had a high potential for lean combustion and wide flame holding. Since a strong forced recirculation flow was induced by the upward swirl, lean and non-luminous flame was maintained in the primary combustion zone. Further, burned gas recirculation and highly turbulent shear flow in the primary combustion zone, both of which were caused by the upward swirl, resulted in the low NOx emission characteristics.
