Catalytic combustion for the production of energy

In this paper, attention is focused on adiabatic lean-premixed catalytic co mbustion, which has attracted interest in the last decades as an environmen tally friendly and cost-effective alternative to flame combustion for power generation by gas turbines. The different configurations of the combustion systems for gas turbines are presented. and the results of pilot tests, full-scale bench tests and fiel d trials with retrofitted machines are illustrated. The relevant physico-ch emical and catalytic properties of highly active supported PdO catalysts, i ncluding reversible PdO-Pd transformation and low-temperature activity, are then addressed. The structural and catalytic properties of highly stable m etal substituted hexaaluminates are also discussed. The use of fuel alterna tive to natural gas is briefly covered. The relevant features of mathematic al models for both, the catalyst section and the homogeneous section, that can be used in the design and analysis of the catalytic combustor, are desc ribed and the major conclusions of the modelling activity are outlined. Fin ally, the research opportunities in the area are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights resented.