Abstract: Combustors [22] which employ such features as rotary cup fuel atomizers and the latter in conjuction with CIVIC combustion to enhance flame performance, to produce efficient combustion over a wide operating range, and to eliminate the problems typically encountered in liquid fueled combustors, especially as they are scaled down in size. A porous or perforate barrier [180] can be used to keep large fuel drops from reaching the combustion zone [124] of the combustor. Also, an air buffer system can be employed to keep fuel from backing up to the bearings [32] by which the rotary cup [98] of the atomizer is rotatably supported, and a fuel supply line [56] with a strategically located orifice [176] can be provided to effect an interaction between fuel discharged therefrom and the buffer air. This keeps the film of fuel formed on the atomizer cup [98] from being disrupted and also keeps the buffer air from penetrating to an inner hot gas recirculation zone [130] in the combustor.