Catalytically stabilized combustion

This paper has reviewed the background leading up to the development of the catalytic combustor, selected results of experimental studies, developments in modelling techniques, and some aspects of applications to gas turbines and furnaces. The future prospects of the technology are exciting. The design of catalytic combustors for gas turbines is underway. In fact, at least one U.S. manufacturer is believed to have a catalytic gas turbine ready for introduction in the near future. Retrofit designs for stationary gas turbines and for furnaces could be implemented readily. Significant economic benefits could stem from such applications. In addition, the demonstration that the catalytic combustor makes possible the burning of heavy oils for downhole generation of steam to increase oil production, is of importance beyond the merely economic potential. Thus, the catalytic combustor and other igneslytic burners are important developments not only because they permit complete combustion of fuels without significant NOx formation and because they make possible designs yielding reduced fuel consumption, but also because such combustors are serviceable in applications in which conventional combustors cannot be readily employed.