Distributed Generation (DG), where small-scale power generation capacity is installed at or near its point of use, is of growing interest to reduce the need for the addition of traditional, large, centralized power plants. Microturbine generators (MTGs) represent one type of DG platform, applications for which continue to expand as the technology improves. MTGs have already shown flexibility in operation on alternatives fuels, making them a potential candidate for use in the renewable energy market. However, many renewable fuels, such as gases produced at wastewater treatment plants and landfills, have significantly lower heating values than pure natural gas. Due to lower volumetric energy content, these waste gases are commonly referred to as medium-BTU fuels. While examples of MTGs operating on these renewable fuels grow in number, little detailed information on the systematic effect of fuel composition on MTG performance is available. The current study characterizes emissions performance of a commercial natural gas fired MTG operating on medium-BTU fuel and identifies the relationship between fuel composition and emissions performance over a 50 to 100% load profile. Results from the implementation of a new injector designed to reduce emissions are also presented.

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