System for providing fuel to a combustor

A combustor, comprising:

• a. an outer casing and an end cover that at least partially encase the combustor;
• b. a fuel nozzle that extends axially downstream from the end cover;
• c. an annular duct that extends downstream from the fuel nozzle and at least partially defines a hot gas path within the combustor;
• d. an orifice that defines a flow path through the annular duct into the hot gas path downstream from the fuel nozzle;
• e. a plurality of fuel injectors arranged circumferentially around the annular duct, wherein the fuel injectors provide for fluid communication through the annular duct into the hot gas path downstream from the fuel nozzle;
• f. a fuel distribution manifold coupled to the annular duct upstream from the fuel injectors, the fuel distribution manifold having a main body that at least partially defines an inlet for receiving fuel, an outlet in fluid communication with the fuel injectors, and a fuel purge passage that is in fluid communication with the orifice;
• and
• g. wherein the fuel purge passage defines a flow path within the main body for routing leaked fuel from the inlet into the hot gas path.

A gas turbine, comprising:

• a. a compressor;
• b. a combustor disposed downstream from the compressor;
• c. a turbine disposed downstream from the combustor;
• and
• d. wherein the combustor comprises:
• i. an outer casing and an end cover that at least partially encase the combustor;
• ii. a fuel nozzle that extends axially downstream from the end cover;
• iii. an annular duct that extends downstream from the fuel nozzle and at least partially defines a hot gas path within the combustor;
• iv. an orifice that defines a flow path through the annular duct into the hot gas path downstream from the fuel nozzle;
• v. a plurality of fuel injectors arranged circumferentially around the annular duct, wherein the fuel injectors provide for fluid communication through the annular duct into the hot gas path downstream from the fuel nozzle;
• vi. a fuel distribution manifold coupled to the annular duct upstream from the fuel injectors, the fuel distribution manifold having a main body that at least partially defines an inlet for receiving fuel, an outlet in fluid communication with the fuel injectors, and a fuel purge passage that is in fluid communication with the orifice;
• and
• vii. wherein the fuel purge passage defines a flow path within the main body for routing leaked fuel from the inlet into the hot gas path via the orifice.