Conversion of Fuel Nitrogen to Oxides of Nitrogen in an Automotive Gas Turbine

Engine and chassis dynamometer tests were conducted using the GMR GT-225 experimental automotive gas turbine engine to determine the effect of fuel nitrogen on NO_x emissions. Kerosene doped with pyridine was used as fuel and both a conventional diffusion-flame combustor and an experimental lean, premixing-prevaporizing combustor were tested. The results show that a sizable amount of fuel nitrogen is converted to NO_x with both combustors. The lean, premixing-prevaporizing combustor converted a greater fraction of the fuel nitrogen than did the diffusion-flame combustor and for both combustors, the fraction converted decreased as the fuel nitrogen content increased.