Analysis of a Micro Gas Turbine Fed by Natural Gas and Synthesis Gas: MGT Test Bench and Combustor CFD Analysis

Abstract

In recent years, the interest in the research on energy production systems fed by biofuels has increased. Gaseous fuels obtained through biomass conversion processes such as gasification, pyrolysis and pyrogasification are generally defined as synthesis gas (syngas). The use of synthesis gas in small-size energy systems, such as those used for distributed micro-cogeneration, has not yet reached a level of technological maturity that could allow a large market diffusion. For this reason, further analyses (both experimental and numerical) have to be carried out to allow these technologies to achieve performance and reliability typical of established technologies based on traditional fuels. In this paper, a numerical analysis of a combustor of a 100-kW micro gas turbine fed by natural gas and biomass-derived synthesis gas is presented. The work has been developed in the framework of a collaboration between the Engineering Department of the University of Ferrara, the Istituto Motori - CNR (Napoli), and Turbec S.p A. of Corporeno di Cento (FE). The main features of the micro gas turbine Turbec T100, located at the Istituto Motori - CNR, are firstly described. A decompression and distribution system allows the feeding of the micro gas turbine with gaseous fuels characterized by different compositions. Moreover, a system of remote monitoring and control together with a data transfer system has been developed in order to set the operative parameters of the machine. The results of the tests performed under different operating conditions are then presented. Subsequently, the paper presents the numerical analysis of a model of the micro gas turbine combustor. The combustor model is validated against manufacturer performance data and experimental data with respect to steady state performance, i.e., average outlet temperature and emission levels. A sensitivity analysis on the model capability to simulate different operating conditions is then performed. The combustor model is used to simulate the combustion of a syngas, composed of different ratios of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, carbon dioxide and water. The results in terms of flame displacement, temperature and emission distribution and values are analyzed and compared to the natural gas simulations. Finally, some simple modifications to the combustion chamber are proposed and simulated both with natural gas and syngas feeding

Challenges and Solutions for Utilization of Bioliquids in Microturbines

“…Several studies were performed also purely on virtual level what was in some cases a prerequisite for performed experimental work. Thus 0-D and CFD analyses of combustion chambers were performed in several studies either with the aim to analyze the atomization, mixing and combustion process [47], [48], [49], [50], [51], [52], [53], however most of the research was oriented towards gaseous biofuels which are out of the scope of this paper.…”

Study of KJ-66 micro gas turbine compressor: Steady and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes approach

“…Besides the extensive study regarding conventional gas turbines, [1][2][3][4][5] ongoing endeavors are made to understand the MGT performance. [6][7][8][9][10][11] MGT differs itself from conventional gas turbine due to its low operating Reynolds number and hence a relatively higher skin friction and heat transfer rate. 12,13 Existing research mainly focuses on the design of the engine, 14,15 combustor development, [16][17][18] combustion and emission, 9 combustion instability, 19,20 heat transfer, 21 control strategy, 22 etc.…”

Evaluation of the potential for hybridization of gas turbine power plants with renewable energy in South Africa

“…Gaseous fuels from biomass conversion technologies, leading to bioenergy production, such as fast pyrolysis, gasification and pyrolysis oil gasification are generally known as synthesis gas. Nevertheless, the application of these alternative fuels in small-size energy systems, such as those used for distributed micro-cogeneration, has not yet reached a level of technological maturity that could allow a large market diffusion [22].…”

“…Cadorin et al [22] analysed the performance of a 100-kW micro gas turbine combustor driven by natural gas and biomass-derived synthesis gas.…”