Numerical Design of an Axially Staged Low Emission Gas Turbine Combustor

Kurzfassung

Fuel staging between pilot- and main burner can reduce the pollutant emissions significantely when the main zone is designed for low emissions. The use of a low emission combustion concept for the pilot zone has the potential of diminishing the production of pollutants. The emphasis in this contribution is placed upon the mixing process of the Rich-Quench-Lean pilot combustor, being the key to low NOx production. A numerical study of the mixing process of the non reacting strongly swirling pilot burner flow with secondary and cooling flow has been performed. An optimized geometry of the mixing zone was established.