Emission reduction through highly oxygenated viscous biofuels: Use of glycerol in a micro gas turbine

The presented paper focuses on the combustion analysis of a highly oxygenated, viscous and economically viable fuel in an internal combustion micro gas turbine. Results suggest that environmental benefits in terms of NO emissions and PM emissions are significant as concentrations of both species are reduced. Based on the analysis presented in the study, altered local air-fuel ratio suppresses NOx formation and PM formation resulting in 10-fold lower PM emission than same experimental apparatus with diesel fuel. The study further analyses and identifies three key mechanisms that are responsible for this reduction: altered oxygen profile during mixture preparation, prevention of soot precursors formation and promotion of soot oxidation reactions. The influence of tested fuel is also perceivable through higher CO and THC emissions. Parametric analysis within the selected experimental space suggests that operational parameters of the micro gas turbine can be adjusted to reduce concentrations of these two species without negatively affecting other pollutants. Significant benefits of the fuel in terms of environmental impact indicate that further investigation and development of this approach might provide a new alternative energy source for stationary use as well as for mobility in sectors where heavy duty gas turbines are used as prime movers. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.