Effects of inlet temperature on combustion characteristics within a micro gas turbine combustor

Experimental studies were conducted to investigate effects of the inlet temperature on the combustion characteristics within a micro gas turbine combustor under the condition of keeping the same exhaust temperature. The results show that, with increasing of the inlet temperature, the combustion efficiency increased, while the outlet temperature fluctuation coefficient and the total pressure recovery factor reduced. The emissions of CO and unburned hydrogen carbon (UHC) significantly reduced, but the emission of NO significantly increased with increase of the inlet temperature. Moreover, the combustion characteristics of the micro gas turbine combustor were further analyzed according to the experimental data. These experimental results are of significance for the design and retrofit of the micro gas turbine combustor.