The Critical Impact of Operational Modes on Gas Turbine Combustor Performance

1. Introduction: The Thermal Challenge of Liner Durability

In the pursuit of increased power density and thermal efficiency, liner durability has solidified as the primary technical bottleneck for gas turbine longevity. The mechanical integrity of the combustor hardware is dictated by the synergy between absolute maximum metal temperatures and steep temperature gradients, which together catalyze mechanical stress and material fatigue. A pivotal 2012 investigation analyzed these variables, demonstrating that the "mode of operation"—defined by fuel phase and injection method—is the dominant driver of liner life.

This research provides an analytical evaluation of how non-premixed natural gas, dry liquid fuel, and wet liquid fuel modes influence localized heat loading, emissions profiles, and acoustic operability. Analysis of these high-fidelity experimental data points yields essential design parameters for predicting hardware degradation and managing operational margins in F-class systems.