An experimental investigation of soot behavior in a gas turbine combustor

Abstract

A full scale gas turbine combustor test facility was designed, constructed, and initially operated to determine the performance of a gas turbine combustor and the associated combustion diagnostic apparatus. The test cell was put through an initial series of four tests. The combustor was opera ted at 75% of normal operating conditions. A water cooled extractive probe sampling system was used to obtain a particulate sample and an optical system was used to measure the transmissivity inside the combustor and at the exhaust. The opacity of the exhaust gases was also monitored. The initial test series verified the adequacy of the test cell control apparatus as well as the extractive probe sampling systems. The optical technique employed appeared to be adequate for the purpose of determining the mean particle diameter, but lacked sensitivity for use at the engine exhaust. Recommendations were made for facility and equipment improvements.