Abstract: A fuel injector and a combustor including a fuel injector that enables a combustor to burn a lean fuel/oxider gas mixture while providing low emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and a method of combustion. The fuel injector includes three fuel/oxider flow path channels. The first channel includes a flow balancing insert and provides a relatively straight flow. The second channel includes at least one angled vane that imparts a swirl to the flow. The third channel is a central tube, the first channel annularly surrounding the third channel, the second channel annularly surrounding the first channel.

Abstract: A method is provided for atomizing fuel in a turbine engine having a compressor, turbine, recuperator, and combustor. The steps include flowing a compressed air to the combustor and passing a fuel to the combustor. A compressed air pressure from the compressor is sensed, as well as sensing a first pressure of an assist air. The first pressure is compared to the compressed air pressure. Then, the first pressure is adjusted to a desired pressure that is a function of at least one of the operating parameters such as turbine speed and the compressed air pressure. The assist air at the desired pressure is next moved to the combustor.