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LEC III™ Ultra Low Emission Combustion System

LEC III Low-Emission Gas Turbine Combustion System | Hanwha Power

Hanwha Power’s LEC III system is a trusted solution for reducing NOx and CO emissions in gas turbines while maintaining high performance and operational flexibility. Developed and manufactured by Hanwha Power since 1999, LEC III is the company’s founding technology, with over 100+ systems sold globally across GE 6B, 7B/EA, 9E, and Siemens/Westinghouse platforms. The system delivers sub-5 ppm NOx on natural gas and low CO emissions across a wide-load range, helping operators meet strict environmental regulations without sacrificing efficiency. The HyFlex version of LEC III supports hydrogen/natural gas fuel blends, with three 9E units in the Netherlands operating on up to 25% hydrogen since 2018.

Field Proven 3-5 PPM NOx Performance

A Track Record You Can Count On

Backed by decades of real-world success, the LEC III system achieves ultra-low NOₓ levels (3–5 ppm) using advanced forward-flowing venturi design and effusion cooling technology. It operates efficiently from baseload down to 50%–60%relative load (or 80% with IBH), with low CO output in all conditions. This enables plants to meet permit requirements while improving air quality and sustainability metrics.

Hanwha Power LEC III ultra-low-emission combustion system cutaway

LEC III and LEC NextGenTechnical Specifications

Specification

Value

Technology

Forward-flowing venturi  premixer with effusion cooling

NOx Emissions (LEC III)

Sub-5 ppm on natural gas  (3-5 ppm typical); sub-3 ppm achievable in optimal conditions

NOx Emissions (LEC  NextGen)

Sub-9 ppm with enhanced  turndown and dual-fuel capability

CO Emissions

Single-digit ppm across  premix operating range

Turndown (LEC III)

Baseload to 50-60% relative  load (80% with inlet bleed heat)

Turndown (LEC NextGen)

Extended turndown with IBH  and PAG steam compatibility

Inspection Interval (LEC  NextGen)

Up to 32,000 factored fired  hours

Compatible Frames

GE 6B (6581B), GE 7B/EA (7121EA), GE 9E (9171E), Siemens/Westinghouse  501B6/D5

Installation

Drop-in replacement for OEM  DLN1 systems; also available as conversion from standard diffusion  combustion. No major control system changes needed for Mark V and higher

Fuel Capability

Natural gas standard;  HyFlex version supports hydrogen/natural gas blends (demonstrated up to 25%  H2 on 9E units since 2018)

Installed Base

100+ systems sold globally  (LEC III + LEC NextGen combined)

Field Proven Since

1999 (Hanwha Power's first  commercial technology)

Seamless Integration

Drop-In Replacement or Modular Upgrade

The LEC III can be installed as a complete system or as individual part replacements for OEM DLN1 systems on B/E-Class turbines (GE Frames 6B, 7B/EA, 9E, and Siemens/Westinghouse 501B6/D5). It supports both drop-in conversions and full replacements, no major control system changes needed. This flexibility lets operators upgrade at their own pace while preserving their investment in legacy assets.

Better Combustion Starts With Better Mixing

How LEC III Lowers Emissions at the Source

The heart of LEC III performance lies in its ability to thoroughly premix fuel and air before combustion. This design minimizes NOₓ and CO formation. Key features include:

  • Effusion-cooled premixers
  • Optimized flow sleeve and venturi design
  • Fully premixed secondary fuel nozzle

These elements work together to reduce combustion dynamics, improve flame stability, and ensure cleaner operation.

LEC III combustion system technical diagram showing venturi premixer and effusion cooling

Enhanced Durability with LEC NextGen

Upgraded Design for Extended Life and Flexibility

For users who require even broader operating flexibility, Hanwha Power offers LEC NextGen, a dual-fuel capable evolution of the LEC III. Designed for compatibility with 7121EA, 9171E, and older turbine models, it offers:

  • Up to 32,000 factored fired hours between inspection
  • Dual-fuel capability
  • Enhanced wear protection with thicker liners and flowing cap
  • Compatibility with IBH and PAG steam for extended turndown

LEC NextGen delivers durability and low emissions while accommodating a wider range of fuel types and system configurations.

Comparison of LEC III vs OEM DLN1 combustion system emissions performance

Why Choose LEC III or LEC NextGen?

Smart Combustion. Real Results.

Hanwha Power’s combustion systems are engineered to reduce emissions while supporting long-term operational goals:

  • Reduce NOₓ to <5 ppm
  • Lower CO output
  • Extend maintenance intervals
  • Improve turn-down and part life
  • Support global sustainability goals
  • 100+ installations globally and growing

Operators around the world trust LEC systems to meet regulatory demands, optimize performance, and enable decarbonization, all without costly system overhauls.

LEC III HyFlex:Hydrogen-Ready Combustion

Hanwha Power’s HyFlex LECIII combustion system supports variable hydrogen/natural gas fuel blends,enabling gas turbine operators to begin decarbonizing with existingassets.  Three Frame 9E gas turbines at acustomer site in the Netherlands have been operating with the HyFlex LEC IIIsystem since 2018, firing hydrogen/natural gas mixtures from 9% to 25% byvolume (with field demonstrations up to 35%) for over four years with no impacton turbine life. NOx emissions have been held to 9 ppm or below throughout.  The system uses Hanwha Power’s proprietary"fin mixer" secondary fuel nozzle combined with AutoTune controllerlogic to handle varying hydrogen fractions automatically. No water, steam, ornitrogen diluents are required for emissions control.  Our Netherland facility has deployed theHyFlex LEC III at the Uniper Rotterdam Capelle (RoCa) power plant, retrofittinga 9E gas turbine for variable hydrogen/natural gas operation as part ofUniper’s decarbonization program.

Hanwha Power LEC NextGen combustion system with enhanced durability features

LEC III and LEC NextGen FAQs

What is the LEC III combustion system?

LEC III is Hanwha Power’sultra-low-emission combustion system, field-proven since 1999. It deliverssub-5 ppm NOx on natural gas using a forward-flowing venturi premixer witheffusion cooling technology. LEC III is a drop-in replacement for OEM DLN1combustion systems on GE 6B, 7B/EA, 9E, and Siemens/Westinghouse 501B6/D5 gasturbines. Over 100 LEC III and LEC NextGen systems have been sold globally.

What is the difference between LEC III and LECNextGen?

LEC III delivers sub-5 ppmNOx with proven reliability across 100+ installations since 1999. LEC NextGenis the next-generation evolution, adding dual-fuel capability, enhancedturndown with IBH and PAG steam compatibility, thicker liners, flowing caps forimproved wear protection, and inspection intervals up to 32,000 factored firedhours. LEC NextGen achieves sub-9 ppm NOx. Both are drop-in compatible with thesame GE and Siemens/Westinghouse frames.

What gas turbine frames are compatible with LECIII?

LEC III and LEC NextGen arecompatible with GE Frame 6B (model 6581B), GE Frame 7B/EA (model 7121EA), GEFrame 9E (model 9171E), and Siemens/Westinghouse 501B6 and D5. The system canbe installed as a drop-in replacement for existing OEM DLN1 hardware or as aconversion from standard diffusion combustion systems. No major control systemchanges are needed for Mark V and higher vintages.

Can LEC III burn hydrogen?

Yes. Hanwha Power’s HyFlexLEC III combustion system supports hydrogen/natural gas fuel blends. ThreeFrame 9E gas turbines in the Netherlands have been operating with the HyFlexLEC III system firing up to 25% hydrogen since 2018, with NOx emissions held to9 ppm or below. Hanwha Power’s AutoTune controller manages the varying hydrogenfractions automatically. Our Netherlands facility has also deployed the HyFlexLEC III at the Uniper Rotterdam Capelle (RoCa) power plant for variablehydrogen/natural gas operation.

How does LEC III compare to OEM DLN1 combustionsystems?

LEC III delivers lower NOxemissions (sub-5 ppm vs. typical DLN1 performance), greater turndowncapability, lower combustion dynamics, and wider load range compliance. Itoperates from baseload down to 50-60% relative load on emissions, or 80% withinlet bleed heat. LEC III is a direct replacement for DLN1 hardware andrequires no major control system changes, making it a lower-cost,higher-performance alternative to the OEM combustion system.

Hanwha Power headquarters office building in Jupiter, Florida
350+

Gas turbine upgrades installed globally

230,000

CO2 reduction per decarbonized turbine equals removing 230,000 cars from the road

100%

Hydrogen combustion: current target for FlameSheet platform

1999

Year founded, 25+ years of gas turbine engineering

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