CFD Analysis of NOx Emissions of a Natural Gas Lean Premixed Burner for Heavy Duty Gas Turbine

The present work presents a numerical analysis of a low NOx partially premixed burner for heavy duty gas turbine. The first part of the paper is focused on the study of the premixing process inside the burner using standard RANS CFD approach. The resulting profiles at different test points have been used to perform reactive simulations of an experimental test rig, where exhaust NOx emissions were measured. A reliable numerical setup was found comparing predicted and measured NOx emissions at different operating conditions and split ratios between main and pilot fuel. The calibrated numerical setup was then employed to explore possible modifications to fuel injection criteria and fuel split, with the aim of minimizing exhaust NOx emissions. This preliminary numerical screening of new fuel injection strategies, allowed defining a set of advanced configurations to be investigated in future experimental tests.