A Standard Gas Turbine to Burn a Variety of Fuels

In this paper two aspects of gas-turbine design and operation are dealt with. First, an account is given of the development of special types of ‘kinematic’ construction suitable for accommodating the very large temperature changes encountered when a gas turbine is started and put on load rapidly. Examples are given of the application of this type of construction to representative components of a 750-1,000 kW. gas turbine.

Secondly, a description is given of the development of combustion chambers to burn fuels ranging from natural gas and gas oil to residual fuels, coal tar fuel and peat. A range of chambers to burn these fuels has been designed to fit interchangeably on the basic components of the standard turbine. A detailed account is given of the development of a combustion chamber of elbow type which takes advantage of the fact that a number of changes of direction through 90 deg. or more are necessary in the ducting of nearly all industrial gas turbines. Development of this chamber is described from early atmospheric test models to the final pressurized combustion chambers which have been fitted to production gas turbines. With only slight adjustments, this type of chamber has shown itself capable of burning hydrocarbon fuels, ranging from natural gas to residual fuel oils, and a modified form of chamber has also successfully burnt low calorific value gases.