Apparatus and method for selecting a flow mixture

A counter-flow combustor apparatus for use in a turbine for combusting a fuel in the presence of an oxidizer, the apparatus comprising:

• an oxidizer flow pathway to direct a flow of a first portion of an oxidizer in a first direction along a first axis;
• a first fuel inlet to provide a first portion of fuel to said first portion of said oxidizer;
• a first mixing section to allow said oxidizer and said first portion of said fuel to mix, thereby forming a first oxidizer-fuel mixture;
• a first oxidizer-fuel pathway to direct a flow of said first oxidizer-fuel mixture in a second direction along said first axis;
• a second oxidizer inlet to form a second oxidizer-fuel mixture by allowing a second portion of said oxidizer to mix with the first oxidizer-fuel mixture;
• a second oxidizer-fuel pathway to direct a flow in said second direction;
• a second fuel inlet substantially near an outlet of said second oxidizer-fuel pathway;
• and
• wherein a second portion of fuel is injected into said second oxidizer-fuel mixture to be combusted in a combustion chamber.

A combustor for use in a gas powered turbine, the combustor comprising:

• a first oxidizer inlet for receiving a first volume of an oxidizer;
• a first flow conduit for directing the first volume oxidizer to a first injection area, wherein a first portion of fuel is injected into the oxidizer to form a first oxidizer-fuel mixture;
• a second flow conduit for directing the first oxidizer-fuel mixture;
• and
• a second oxidizer inlet associated with said second flow conduit to receive a second volume of the oxidizer into the first oxidizer-fuel mixture to form a second oxidizer-fuel mixture;
• an oxidizer pathway to direct the oxidizer;
• a first fuel inlet associated with said oxidizer pathway;
• and
• wherein a volume of fuel is injected into said oxidizer pathway as the first volume of the oxidizer moves through said oxidizer pathway.