ABSTRACT
Catalytic combustion is a promising technique for lowering emissions from combustion sources. It is a good example of an application where the outstanding features of monolith catalysts, e.g., low pressure drop at high mass throughputs and high mechanical strength, are well utilized. The prime advantage with catalytic fuel combustion is that total oxidation, i.e., combustion of the fuel, may be achieved at much lower temperatures than in conventional flames. Hence, the temperature may be lowered below 1500C, which is the onset temperature for the formation of NOx from molecular nitrogen in the combustion air. At the same time the combustion stability is maintained with low emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, UHC, and carbon monoxide, CO. Even though many applications for
catalytic fuel combustion have been proposed, ranging from industrial radiative heaters to gas stoves, the catalytic gas turbine combustor has received most attention. Gas turbines offer some of the most challenging demands of any applications for catalytic fuel combustion and at the same time offer the greatest rewards. For this application, where low pressure drop and well-controlled heat release is of paramount importance, honeycomb monolith catalyst will be the only viable option.
