Abstract
DME (Dimethyl Ether, $CH_3OCH_3$) has highly attracted attention as an alternative fuel for transportation, power generation and LPG substitute owing to its easy transportation and cleanliness. This study was conducted to verify the combustion performance and to identify potential problems when DME is fuelled to a gas turbine. GE7EA gas turbine of Pyong-Tak power plant was selected as a target to apply the DME. Combustion tests were conducted by comparing DME with methane, which is a major component of natural gas, in terms of combustion instability, $NO_X$ and CO emissions, and the outlet temperature of the combustion chamber. The results of the performance tests show that DME is very clean but has a low combustion efficiency in low load condition. From the results of the fuel nozzle temperature we have ascertained that DME is easy to flash back, and this property should be considered when operating a gas turbine and retrofitting a burner.
