Experimental Study on Diffusion Flame Combustor for Advanced Humid Air Turbine

Abstract

In this work, an experimental study is carried out to obtain the combustion characteristics of a diffusion flame combustor used under high humidity condition of the advanced humid air turbine (AHAT) system. Low flame temperature caused by high humidity condition is expected to decrease NOx emission, but it may weaken flame stability. The influence of humidity on NOx emission and flame stability is studied with combustion test using three types of combustor with different axial distribution of combustion air. The flame stability of diffusion flame combustor is enough for AHAT operation. NOx emission of the combustor with local humidification is 10ppm at 16.8wt% of humidity. The result shows that it is possible to cope with both flame stability and NOx reduction in AHAT system.