The Problem of Burning Residual Oils in Gas Turbines

Abstract

The burning of residual oil fuels in gas turbines raises some special problems: the efficient combustion of the solid particles to which these fuels give rise, the avoidance of ash deposits, and the protection of turbine blades and other components from corrosion effects peculiar to these fuels.

This lecture discusses these problems and the methods which are being considered for solving them. It is shown that the burning of these heavy oils is not the greatest of the difficulties, since with suitably designed equipment this process can be quite efficiently performed. What is difficult is the avoidance of ash deposition and of the secondary effects, notably blade corrosion, to which this deposition gives rise. These effects are considered in some detail.