Terunobu Hayata

Hybrid Catalytic Combustion for Stationary Gas Turbine: Concept and Small Scale Test Results

Catalytic combustion for gas turbine applications has been investigated. Its significant advantages in reducing combustor emissions, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx), have been shown. One of the main problems in regard to developing a catalytic combustor is the durability of catalysts, because the catalysts deteriorate during high temperature operation, which is normal for current gas turbines and near future gas turbines. The hybrid catalytic combustion concept has advantages concerned with catalyst durability. This paper shows its concept and small scale test results. This hybrid catalytic combustion concept comprises the following steps; premix fuel and air for a catalyst-packed zone; operate catalysts at rather low temperatures, to prolong catalyst life; add fresh fuel into the stream at the catalyst-packed zone outlet, where gas phase combustion occurs completely without a catalyst; add dilution air into the stream at the gas phase combustion zone outlet with a by-pass valve. Experimental data and analyses indicated that this hybrid catalytic combustion has a potential of being applicable to current gas turbines (turbine inlet temperature is about 1100°C) and near future gas turbines (turbine inlet temperature is about 1300°C).Copyright