Catalytic combustor and method for substantially eliminating various emissions

A combustion system for a turbine, comprising:

• a compressor adapted to produce compressed atmospheric air;
• and
• a combustion system for mixing and combusting a fuel injected into the compressed atmospheric air to produce expanding gases;
• said turbine being powered by the expanding gases;
• and
• said combustion system comprising:
• a first fuel supply to supply fuel to the compressed atmospheric air;
• a heat exchanger comprising a catalyst section comprising a catalyst disposed within said catalyst section, wherein the compressed air and the fuel flow through said catalyst section;
• a second fuel supply to supply fuel to the compressed atmospheric air after the compressed atmospheric air has passed through said catalyst section;
• said catalyst section comprising a plurality of catalyst members, each extending parallel to a first axis;
• said heat exchanger further comprising a plurality of cooling tubes, each extending parallel to a second axis generally parallel to said first axis for at least a selected length;
• said catalyst members arranged to form a plurality of columns spaced transversely to said first axis and defining a plurality of channels;
• and
• said cooling tubes arranged in a plurality of columns and extend extending a distance along said catalyst members and generally perpendicular to said channels.

A combustion system for a turbine, comprising:

• a compressor adapted to produce compressed atmospheric air;
• and
• a combustion system for mixing and combusting a fuel injected into the compressed atmospheric air to produce expanding gases,
• said turbine being powered by the expanding gases;
• said combustion system comprising:
• a first fuel supply apparatus to supply fuel to the compressed atmospheric air;
• a heat exchanger system comprising a catalyst section comprising a catalyst disposed within said catalyst section, wherein the compressed air and the fuel flow through said catalyst section;
• a second fuel supply apparatus to supply fuel to the compressed atmospheric air after the compressed atmospheric air has passed through said catalyst section;
• and
• said catalyst section comprising a plurality of catalyst members;
• a pre-mix area interconnected with the heat exchanger system for mixing a portion of the fuel from the first fuel supply apparatus with the compressed atmospheric air;
• and
• a main injector member interconnected with the heat exchanger system and including at least one injector operably coupled to said catalyst members;
• a portion of the fuel from the second fuel supply apparatus being mixed with the compressed atmospheric air in said main injector member;
• and
• said main injector member adapted to mix the portion of the fuel from the second fuel supply apparatus with the compressed atmospheric air such that a temperature throughout the main injector member is substantially equal.