Increasing power requirement due to ever increasing population demands for a distributed power (DP) generation system as compared to the conventional power generation systems. Micro-gas-turbine combustor enables fuel flexibility and better emission control. Therefore, these systems are ideal for distributed power generation. The combustion and emission characteristics from the combustor have to be studied for proper design using different fuel types.

In this study methane, representing fossil natural gas, and biogas, a renewable fuel that is a mixture of methane and carbon-dioxide, are used as fuels in micro-gas turbine combustor. Primary air flow (with swirl component) and secondary aeration have been varied. Experimental results from in-house setup in a tubular combustor suitable for micro turbine applications are available from previous researchers, where exit temperature has been measured. Turbulent reactive flow model is used to simulate these flames. Numerical results are compared with experimental data.

Parametric study has been conducted to reveal the effects of primary air flow with swirl, secondary air flow and swirl number. Predicted nitric oxide emissions from these flames are also presented. This study reveals that for a given fuel type, a proper choice of primary and secondary aeration, along with a moderate swirl number, is required to obtain the required flame and emission characteristics.