Aldehydes emissions measurement and OFP assessment of biodiesel and its blends with kerosene using a low NOx gas turbine combustor

There is more interest of using biodiesel fuels derived from vegetable oil or animal fats as alternative fuels for both diesel and gas turbine engines. This is mainly due to the potential benefits on CO2 reductions and renewable. Regulated emissions of biodiesel and its blends are widely studied in diesel engines and some gas turbine engines. However, there is a knowledge gap of lack of information about non-regulated pollutants such as carbonyl compounds (aldehydes etc). This paper assessed aldehydes emissions under atmospheric pressure and 600K using a radial swirler industrial low NOx gas turbine combustor. A comparison was made between B100 (100% WME), B20 (80% Kerosene: 20% WME) and pure Kerosene. A FTIR was used to determine aldehydes including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein. OFP (Ozone Formation Potential) of formaldehyde emissions were assessed for these three fuels. The results showed that formaldehyde was the most prevalent aldehyde species for B100, B20 and kerosene, accounted for up to 50℅. The aldehydes decreased as equivalence ratio increased due to the increased flame temperatures. A strong correlation between aldehydes emissions and flame temperatures was observed.