Results of an investigation into the levels of oxides of nitrogen in Westinghouse gas turbine exhausts are presented. Various methods of controlling the amounts of these emissions were considered. The oxides of nitrogen were reduced most effectively by lowering the maximum flame temperature. This was done by either leaning the primary zone of the combustor, by water injection in the primary zone, or by using vitiated combustion air. Reductions in NOx levels to 15 percent of original values were achieved.

Under the “Advanced Cooling Full-Scale Engine Demonstration” Program, the Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. is developing a combustor fabricated from Lamilloy, to be used in a Westinghouse W501 industrial combustion turbine on coal derived or residual fuel, which is aimed at using less cooling air and improving reliability. A Full-Scale Rig Test Program of the Lamilloy combustor is being conducted at the Westinghouse Combustion Turbine Systems Division. Combustion rig tests have been performed on the full-size Lamilloy combustor on a low hydrogen coal-derived liquid and on standard #2 distillate fuel. The Lamilloy combustor is a multiple laminate porous structure, formed from three diffusion bonded, etched Hastelloy-X sheets. Preliminary test results are given for both fuels and include wall temperatures, emissions and combustor performance for burner outlet temperatures up to 2200°F. Acceptable wall temperature levels were obtained for both fuels, using cooling air flows below those required for the conventional film cooled design. Reduced cooling air requirements permitted larger diluent air flows and a corresponding reduction in pattern factor.

A comprehensive field test was performed to evaluate the suitability of H-Coal middle distillate and full-range Exxon Donor Solvent (EDS) coal-derived liquids (CDLs) as utility combustion turbine fuels. A Westinghouse W251AA 26 MW combustion turbine operated by the Philadelphia Electric Company was the test engine. No. 2 petroleum distillate fuel was also fired to establish baseline data. This program was sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute. Site modifications included a temporary CDL storage and fuel transfer system, water storage and injection equipment, an instrumented combustor, engine and emissions instrumentation and data acquisition systems, and industrial hygiene facilities required for the proper handling of the CDLs. The overall results of testing were positive for using such CDL fuels in combustion turbines for power generation. With the exception of higher combustor metal temperatures with the CDLs, and persistent fuel filter plugging with the EDS fuel (which occurred even with increased fuel temperature and filter size), the engine operated satisfactorily during approximately 80 hr of total running over the standard range of load and water injection conditions.

A comprehensive field test was performed to evaluate the suitability of H-Coal middle distillate and full-range Exxon Donor Solvent (EDS) coal derived liquids (CDLs) as utility combustion turbine fuels. A Westinghouse W251AA 26 MW combustion turbine operated by the Philadelphia Electric Company was the test engine. No. 2 petroleum distillate fuel was also fired to establish baseline data. This program was sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute. Site modifications included a temporary CDL storage and fuel transfer system, water storage and injection equipment, an instrumented combustor, engine and emissions instrumentation and data acquisition systems, and industrial hygiene facilities required for the proper handling of the CDLs. The overall results of testing were positive for using such CDL fuels in combustion turbines for power generation. With the exception of higher combustor metal temperatures with the CDLs, and persistent fuel filter plugging with the EDS fuel, (which occurred even with increased fuel temperature and filter size), the engine operated satisfactorily during approximately 80 hours of total running over the standard range of load and water injection conditions.

Early field tests on 25- and 33-MW combustion turbines indicated that, with modest controls on fuel sulfur content, compliance with strict regulations on particulate emissions, such as the 10 lb (4.5 kg) per hour Rule 67 of the Los Angeles Air Pollution Control District, was feasible. This paper describes the field development program to demonstrate Rule 67 compliance on an 80-MW combustion turbine for which the 10-lb/hr (4.5-kg/hr) limit is approximately 4 psm by weight. Particulate controls were implemented by installing improved-smoke combustors, and using water injection and low sulfur fuel. Meticulous sampling and analytical procedures were developed, using a specially designed and equipped environmental test laboratory trailer, to study the properties of particulate collection filters, and to improve the precision of measurements from each portion of the particulate sampling system: probe, filter, and water impingers. The test results clearly indicate that with proper attention to the details of sample system preconditioning, sample collection and analysis, the large combustion turbine can comply with the stringent 10-lb/hr (4.5-kg/hr) particulate limit of Rule 67.