A swirler assembly in a combustor of a gas turbine engine and a method of operating the combustor

Abstract

A cyclone assembly includes a cyclone having a primary cyclone with a primary cyclone venturi, a cyclone liner plate connected upstream of the primary cyclone, and a fuel nozzle disposed in the cyclone liner plate. The cyclone liner plate has an annular pressure drop cavity having an oxidant inlet orifice in fluid communication with the cyclone, and at least one outlet orifice in fluid communication with the primary cyclone venturi. A second flow of oxidant to the cyclone causes a first pressure drop, a third flow of oxidant from the cyclone to the annular pressure drop cavity causes a second pressure drop, and a fourth flow of oxidant from the annular pressure drop cavity to the primary cyclone venturi causes a third pressure drop.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to providing a fuel nozzle purge flow to the primary swirler venturi tube of a swirler assembly in a gas turbine engine. Background Technology

[0002] Some conventional gas turbine engines are known to include rich-fuel combustors, which typically use swirlers integrated with fuel nozzles to deliver a swirling fuel / air mixture to the combustor. A radial-radial swirler is an example of such a swirler and includes a primary radial swirler, a secondary radial swirler, and a swirler collar plate surrounding the fuel nozzle. The primary swirler includes a primary swirler venturi tube, where a primary swirling airflow from the primary swirler mixes with fuel injected into the primary swirler venturi tube through the fuel nozzle. The swirler collar plate may include purge orifices that provide a purge airflow from the pressure chamber to the primary swirler venturi tube. The purge flow through the swirler collar plate is at a relatively high velocity as it exits the swirler collar plate and enters the primary swirler venturi tube. Attached Figure Description

[0003] The features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals generally indicate the same, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar elements.

[0004] Figure 1 This is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of an exemplary high-bypass turbofan jet engine according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0005] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional side view of an exemplary combustion section according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0006] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional side view of the front portion of an exemplary combustion section.

[0007] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional side view detail of an exemplary fuel nozzle assembly according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0008] Figure 5 This is a rear perspective view of an exemplary cyclone assembly according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 6 Based on aspects of this disclosure Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the primary hydrocyclone taken at plane 6-6.

[0010] Figure 7 This is a front perspective view of an exemplary hydrocyclone ring plate according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 8 Based on the aspects of this disclosure Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional side view of an exemplary hydrocyclone collar plate.

[0012] Figure 9 This is a rear-view front view of an exemplary cyclone collar plate according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 10 It is based on another aspect of this disclosure Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional side view detailing the arrangement of the outlet orifice of an alternative exemplary hydrocyclone ring plate, taken at point 200.

[0014] Figure 11 This is based on yet another aspect of this disclosure. Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional side view detailing the arrangement of the outlet orifice of an alternative exemplary hydrocyclone ring plate, taken at point 200.

[0015] Figure 12 It is based on yet another aspect of this disclosure for use in Figure 10 The arrangement of the hydrocyclone ring plate and fuel nozzle outlet orifice in the aspect ... Figure 4 A front view of a partial cross-section taken at point AA on the plane.

[0016] Figure 13 It is based on yet another aspect of this disclosure for use in Figure 10 The arrangement of the hydrocyclone ring plate and fuel nozzle outlet orifice in the aspect ... Figure 4 A front view of a partial cross-section taken at point AA on the plane.

[0017] Figure 14 It is based on yet another aspect of this disclosure for use in Figure 11 The arrangement of the hydrocyclone ring plate and fuel nozzle outlet orifice in the aspect ... Figure 4 The rear-view front view of a partial cross-section taken at point AA on the plane.

[0018] Figure 15 Based on aspects of this disclosure Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional side view of the secondary hydrocyclone outlet orifice arrangement, taken at point 202.

[0019] Figure 16 This is a flowchart of the processing steps of a method for operating a burner according to aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The features, advantages, and embodiments of this disclosure will be set forth or become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, accompanying drawings, and claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that the following detailed description is exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the claimed disclosure.

[0021] Various embodiments are discussed in detail below. Although specific embodiments are discussed, this is for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other components and constructions can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0022] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” are used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to indicate the location or importance of the individual components.

[0023] The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative directions of fluid flow within a fluid path. For example, "upstream" refers to the direction from which the fluid flows, and "downstream" refers to the direction from which the fluid flows.

[0024] In a fuel-rich combustor including a radial-radial cyclone, air is supplied from the combustor's pressure chamber to a primary radial cyclone, where swirling impellers in the primary cyclone induce swirl in the air as it flows through. The primary cyclone also includes a venturi tube and a fuel nozzle that injects fuel into the venturi tube, where the fuel mixes with the swirling airflow from the primary cyclone. A cyclone ring plate surrounds the fuel nozzle and may include purge orifices that provide purge airflow from the pressure chamber to the venturi tube. The purge flow through the cyclone ring plate is at relatively high pressure and high exit velocity as it exits the cyclone ring plate and enters the venturi tube of the primary cyclone. The high-speed airflow from the ring plate interacts directly with the swirling air from the primary cyclone, leading to hydrodynamic instabilities and introducing higher turbulence in the flow within the primary cyclone, particularly before the fuel nozzle tip. These hydrodynamic instabilities force instabilities in fuel distribution and heat release within the combustor, resulting in pressures within the venturi tube that are higher than desired.

[0025] This disclosure addresses the aforementioned problems by reducing hydrodynamic instability and maintaining pressure fluctuations within the venturi tube at or below a desired level. According to this disclosure, a hydrocyclone collar plate includes an annular cavity having an inlet orifice connected to the inlet portion of the hydrocyclone and an outlet orifice connected to the venturi tube of the hydrocyclone. Pressurized air contained in a pressure chamber flows into the hydrocyclone, causing a first pressure drop in the airflow within the hydrocyclone. A portion of the airflow in the hydrocyclone is diverted from the hydrocyclone to the annular cavity of the hydrocyclone collar plate. This airflow causes a second pressure drop, such that the air pressure within the annular cavity is lower than the air pressure within the hydrocyclone. The air in the annular cavity of the hydrocyclone collar plate then flows through the outlet orifice of the collar plate into the primary hydrocyclone venturi tube. This airflow causes a third pressure drop, such that the pressure of the airflow flowing into the venturi tube is lower than the pressure of the air in the annular cavity. As a result, the pressure in the primary hydrocyclone venturi tube can be maintained at or below a desired level, and disturbances in the primary hydrocyclone airflow can be reduced. Therefore, this disclosure reduces the hydrodynamic instabilities that occur in conventional ring plates.

[0026] Now refer to the attached diagram, Figure 1 This is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of an exemplary high-bypass turbofan jet engine 10 (referred to herein as "engine 10") that can be incorporated into various embodiments of the present disclosure. Although further described below with reference to turbofan engines, this disclosure is also applicable to general turbomachinery, including turbojet engines, turboprop engines, and turboshaft gas turbine engines, including marine and industrial turbine engines and auxiliary power units. Figure 1 As shown, engine 10 has a longitudinal or axial centerline axis 12 extending from upstream end 98 to downstream end 99, for reference. Typically, engine 10 may include a fan assembly 14 and a core engine 16 disposed downstream of the fan assembly 14.

[0027] The core engine 16 typically includes a housing 18 defining an annular inlet 20. The housing 18 surrounds or at least partially forms, in a series flow relationship, a compressor section having a boost or low-pressure (LP) compressor 22, a high-pressure (HP) compressor 24; a combustor 26; a turbine section including a high-pressure (HP) turbine 28, a low-pressure (LP) turbine 30; and an injection exhaust nozzle section 32. A high-pressure (HP) rotor shaft 34 drivesly connects the HP turbine 28 to the HP compressor 24. A low-pressure (LP) rotor shaft 36 drivesly connects the LP turbine 30 to the LP compressor 22. The LP rotor shaft 36 may also be connected to a fan shaft 38 of the fan assembly 14. In certain embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, the LP rotor shaft 36 can be connected to the fan shaft 38 via a reduction gear 40, for example in an indirect drive configuration or a gear transmission configuration. In other embodiments, although not shown, the engine 10 may also include an intermediate pressure (IP) compressor and a turbine that rotates with the intermediate pressure shaft.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the fan assembly 14 includes a plurality of fan blades 42 coupled to and extending radially outward from the fan shaft 38. An annular fan housing or nacelle 44 circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the fan assembly 14 and / or the core engine 16. In one embodiment, the nacelle 44 may be supported relative to the core engine 16 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced outlet guide vanes or struts 46. Furthermore, at least a portion of the nacelle 44 may extend over the outer portion of the core engine 16 to define a bypass airflow passage 48 therebetween.

[0029] Figure 2 An exemplary burner 26 according to this disclosure is depicted. Figure 2 In this design, the burner 26 includes a swirler assembly 50, a fuel nozzle assembly 52, a dome assembly 54, and an annular combustion bushing 56 within a housing 64. The annular combustion bushing 56 includes an annular outer liner 58 and an annular inner liner 60, forming a combustion chamber 62 between them. A pressure chamber 66 is formed within the dome assembly 54. (Return to Reference) Figure 1 During operation, air 73 enters the nacelle 44, and a portion of the air 73 enters the compressor section (22 / 24) as the compressor inlet airflow 80, where this portion of air is compressed. Another portion of the air 73 enters the bypass airflow passage 48 as the bypass airflow 78. Figure 2 In the combustion chamber 26, compressed air 82 from the compressor section (22 / 24) enters via a diffuser (not shown). A portion of the air 82(a) enters the dome assembly 54 into the pressure chamber 66, while another portion of the air 82(b) flows into the external flow passage 68 between the annular combustion bushing 56 and the outer casing 64. As described below, the air 82(a) in the pressure chamber 66 passes through the swirler assembly 50 to mix with the fuel injected by the fuel nozzle assembly 52 and is ignited to generate combustion products 86.

[0030] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the front portion of the burner in the burner 26, including the swirler assembly 50, is depicted. Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the hydrocyclone assembly 50 is depicted. Figure 3In this configuration, the burner 26 defines itself in a longitudinal direction L relative to the engine centerline axis 12, and in a radial direction R relative to the engine centerline axis 12. The swirler assembly 50 is symmetrical about a swirler assembly centerline 69, which extends in the longitudinal direction L and is perpendicular to the radial direction R. The swirler assembly 50 is suitably connected to the dome assembly 54. The swirler assembly 50 includes a swirler 51 and a fuel nozzle 90 disposed within the swirler 51. As will be described in more detail below, the swirler 51 includes: a primary swirler 70, which includes a primary swirler venturi tube 100; a secondary swirler 72; and a swirler collar plate 91. The primary swirler 70 includes a plurality of primary swirler blades 74. The primary swirler blades 74 are arranged circumferentially in a row such that each primary swirler blade 74 extends radially inward to a primary swirler blade lip 76 (see...). Figure 6 The primary cyclone impeller 74 also extends longitudinally rearward from the primary cyclone front wall 111. As will be described in more detail below, the primary cyclone 70 includes a plurality of primary cyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 through the primary cyclone front wall 111. The primary cyclone 70 also includes a primary cyclone venturi tube 100, which extends concentrically about the cyclone assembly centerline 69 in the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the primary cyclone 70 is configured to cause corresponding portions of pressurized air 82(a) from the pressure chamber 66 to swirl radially inward from the plurality of primary cyclone impeller blades 74 in order to generate a primary cyclone swirling airflow 95 that swirls within the primary cyclone 70 in the primary swirling direction 104 (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise circumferentially about the cyclone assembly centerline 69). Furthermore, as will be explained in more detail below, the third stream 114 of the pressurized air 82(c) entering the primary hydrocyclone 70 is transferred through the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 to the annular cavity 110 of the hydrocyclone ring plate 91.

[0031] The secondary hydrocyclone 72 similarly includes secondary hydrocyclone blades 84 arranged in a circumferential row, such that each secondary hydrocyclone blade 84 extends radially inward to a secondary hydrocyclone blade lip 88. Similar to the primary hydrocyclone blades 74, the secondary hydrocyclone blades 84 extend longitudinally rearward from the secondary hydrocyclone front wall 113, which also forms the primary hydrocyclone rear wall of the primary hydrocyclone 70. Although Figure 4 Not shown in the text, but will be referenced below. Figure 15In more detail, the secondary cyclone 72 may include a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices similar to the oxidant outlet orifice 107 of the primary cyclone. Thus, the secondary cyclone 72 is configured to cause another corresponding portion of the pressurized air 82(a) from the pressure chamber 66 to swirl radially inward from the plurality of secondary cyclone impeller blades 84 of the secondary cyclone 72, in order to generate a secondary cyclone swirling airflow 97.

[0032] It can be seen that the fuel nozzle assembly 52 includes a fuel nozzle 90 disposed within the cyclone ring plate 91 of the cyclone 51. Figure 4 The fuel nozzle 90 shown is for general illustration only, and other fuel nozzle components that may form the fuel nozzle 90 are omitted. The fuel nozzle 90 injects fuel 92 into the primary cyclone venturi region 102 of the primary cyclone venturi 100. Figure 4 Here, fuel 92 is mixed with primary cyclone swirling air stream 95 from primary cyclone 70 to generate primary cyclone fuel-air mixture 105. The primary cyclone fuel-air mixture 105 in the venturi tube is further mixed with secondary cyclone swirling air stream 97 from secondary cyclone 72 downstream of the primary cyclone venturi tube 100 to generate mixer assembly fuel-air mixture 85 injected into combustion chamber 62. Figure 2 The primary cyclone venturi tube 100 radially separates the primary cyclone swirling airflow 95, which is swirled by the primary cyclone swirling impeller 74, from the secondary cyclone swirling airflow 97, which is swirled by the secondary cyclone swirling impeller 84.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a rear perspective view of the cyclone separator 51. It is visible that the cyclone separator 51 includes a primary cyclone separator 70, a secondary cyclone separator 72, and a cyclone separator ring plate 91. The fuel nozzle 90, which forms part of the cyclone separator assembly 50, is not... Figure 5 As described above. Figure 4 As described, the hydrocyclone collar plate 91 is connected to the primary hydrocyclone 70 at the upstream side 112 of the primary hydrocyclone front wall 111. Various structural embodiments of the hydrocyclone collar plate 91 will be discussed in more detail below. However, in short, as... Figure 4 As shown, the hydrocyclone ring plate 91 includes an annular cavity 110 (which may also be referred to herein as an "annular pressure drop cavity"), a plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106, and at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108. The plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106 provide a primary hydrocyclone 70 (or alternatively, as described below regarding...). Figure 15 The secondary cyclone 72) and the annular cavity 110 are in fluid communication, while at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108 provides fluid communication between the annular cavity 110 and the primary cyclone venturi region 102 of the primary cyclone 70.

[0034] Figure 6 Is Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional front view of the primary hydrocyclone taken at plane 6-6. Figure 6 The cross-section is taken from the primary hydrocyclone 70. For example... Figure 6 As seen, the primary hydrocyclone front wall 111 includes a plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 therethrough. It is evident that the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 are disposed between two consecutive primary hydrocyclone impellers 74. Figure 6 Eight primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 are depicted, arranged circumferentially at an angle 151 and a radial distance 153 relative to the hydrocyclone assembly centerline 69. Although Figure 6 Eight primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 are depicted, but alternatively, more or fewer than eight primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 may be included. Furthermore, although... Figure 6 The oxidant outlet orifice 107 of the primary hydrocyclone is shown as a generally circular orifice (hole) or cylindrical hole through the front wall 111 of the primary hydrocyclone, but other shapes may be used instead. (Return to Reference) Figure 4 Each primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 is arranged together with a corresponding rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 in the rear wall of the hydrocyclone ring plate 91. The corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 and the corresponding rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 are arranged together to form a ring oxidant inlet orifice 109. Figure 4 The ring oxidant inlet orifice 109 provides fluid communication between the primary hydrocyclone 70 and the annular cavity 110. That is, the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 and the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 are generally aligned with each other to form a flow path through them (ring oxidant inlet orifice 109).

[0035] During operation, compressed air 82(a) from compressor section (22 / 24) ( Figure 2A first stream 94 is supplied to the pressure chamber 66 via a diffuser (not shown), causing the pressurized air 82(a) in the pressure chamber 66 to be pressurized to a first pressure P1. A second stream 101 of the pressurized air 82(a) (also referred to herein as "oxidant") flows from the pressure chamber 66 into the primary cyclone separator 70. The second stream 101 causes a first pressure drop ΔP1 in the primary cyclone separator 70, wherein the first pressure drop ΔP1 is a decrease in pressure from the first pressure P1 to a second pressure P2, which is less than the first pressure P1. As described above, the primary cyclone separator impeller 74 induces swirl in the second stream 101 to generate a primary swirling airflow 95 in the primary cyclone separator venturi tube 100. In this aspect, a third stream 114 of the oxidant (air 82(a) 101) flowing through the primary hydrocyclone 70 flows through multiple primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 and multiple rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106 (together forming a ring oxidant inlet orifice 109), entering the annular cavity 110 of the hydrocyclone ring plate 91. The third stream 114 entering the annular cavity 110 causes a second pressure drop ΔP2 from a second pressure P2 to a third pressure P3 lower than the second pressure P2. Therefore, the oxidant within the annular cavity 110 is at pressure P3. A fourth stream 116 of the oxidant contained within the annular cavity 110 then flows through at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108, entering the venturi region 102 of the primary hydrocyclone. The fourth stream 116 of the oxidant through at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108 causes a third pressure drop ΔP3 from a third pressure P3 to a fourth pressure P4 lower than the third pressure P3. Therefore, the total pressure drop ΔP through the hydrocyclone ring plate 91 is... TFP It can be limited to ΔP TFP =ΔP2+ΔP3, and the total pressure drop through the cyclone separator 51 (including the primary cyclone separator 70 and the cyclone separator ring plate 91) can be limited to ΔP. T =ΔP TFP +ΔP1.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a front perspective view of an exemplary cyclone ring plate 91 according to aspects of this disclosure. Figure 8 Is it like this? Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary hydrocyclone collar plate 91 is shown. It is evident that the hydrocyclone collar plate 91 includes a rear wall 118 that extends radially outward from the hydrocyclone assembly centerline 69 in the radial direction R, and also extends circumferentially around the hydrocyclone assembly centerline 69 (see...). Figure 9 The fuel nozzle opening 124 is defined to pass through the rear wall 118. (As shown) Figure 4 As shown, as part of the cyclone assembly 50, the fuel nozzle 90 is disposed in the fuel nozzle opening 124 of the cyclone ring plate 91. Although the rear wall 118 is described as a generally cylindrical wall, the rear wall 118 is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may instead be other shapes, such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc.

[0037] The cyclone ring plate 91 also includes an annular conical wall 120 and an annular cavity wall 122. The annular conical wall 120 extends radially outward and upstream from the radially inward portion 128 of the rear wall 118 at the fuel nozzle opening 124, and extends upstream from the radially inward portion 128 of the rear wall 118 at the fuel nozzle opening 124. The annular conical wall 120 also extends circumferentially about the cyclone assembly centerline 69, thereby forming a radially inward conical opening at the upstream end of the fuel nozzle opening 124. The annular cavity wall 122 connects to the radially outward portion 130 of the rear wall 118 and the upstream end 132 of the annular conical wall 120. The annular cavity wall 122 extends circumferentially about the cyclone assembly centerline 69. Therefore, the rear wall 118, the annular conical wall 120, and the annular cavity wall 122 form an annular cavity 110.

[0038] Multiple rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106 are formed through the rear wall 118. As described above, the rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106 have corresponding primary cyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 of the primary cyclone 70, which together form a ring oxidant inlet orifice 109, providing fluid communication between the primary cyclone 70 and the annular cavity 110. The multiple rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106 and the multiple primary cyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 can have different shapes and / or sizes. The size, shape, and / or number of the multiple rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106, the size, shape, and / or number of the multiple primary cyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107, the size / shape of the annular cavity 110, and the size, shape, and number of at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108 can all be configured to obtain desired ΔP2, ΔP3, and ΔP TFP In some exemplary embodiments, the arrangement (e.g., size, shape, and number) of the plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106, the arrangement (e.g., size, shape, and number) of the plurality of primary cyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107, and the arrangement (e.g., size and shape) of the annular cavity 110 can, for example, provide ΔP TFP ΔP2 is between 10% and 90%. The arrangement of the annular cavity 110 (e.g., size and shape) and the arrangement of at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108 (e.g., size, shape, and number) can, for example, provide ΔP. TFP The remaining portion (percentage) of ΔP3.

[0039] Figure 7 and Figure 8The rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 and the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 shown are depicted as generally circular orifices. However, the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 and / or the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 may alternatively include orifices of other shapes, such as triangular, trapezoidal, elliptical, rectangular, etc. Furthermore, the combination of the corresponding rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 and the corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 forms a ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifice 109, which may be a straight-through aligned orifice, or alternatively, may be tapered. For example, the ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifice 109 may be located on the inlet side of the orifice (i.e., on the rear surface 115 of the primary hydrocyclone front wall 111). Figure 4 It has a smaller size and is located on the outlet side of the orifice (i.e., on the front surface 146 of the rear wall 118). Figure 8 The oxidant inlet orifice 109 of the collar may have a larger size on the inlet side and a smaller size on the outlet side.

[0040] On the other hand, the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 can be formed as a slotted oxidant inlet orifice 206 extending circumferentially through the rear wall 118 (see Figure 9 Each slotted oxidant inlet orifice 206 is centered at a radial distance of 155. The height of the slotted oxidant inlet orifice 206 may be the same as the size (e.g., diameter) of the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106, or as... Figure 9 As shown, this height can be slightly larger than the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106. Using the slotted oxidant inlet orifice 206, one slotted oxidant inlet orifice 206 can be arranged together with multiple primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 to provide fluid communication between the primary hydrocyclone 70 and the hydrocyclone collar plate 91.

[0041] Figure 9 This is a rear-view front view of the hydrocyclone collar plate 91, depicting the arrangement of the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 and at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108 through the rear wall 118. It can be seen that the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 are arranged circumferentially around the hydrocyclone assembly centerline 69, and can be arranged at a radial distance 155 from the hydrocyclone assembly centerline 69. Furthermore, the circumferential spacing of the rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106 can be at an angle 157. The radial distance 155 and angle 157 of the rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106 correspond to the radial distance 153 and angle 151 of the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107. Figure 6Furthermore, although the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 and the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 are shown as being equally spaced in the radial and circumferential directions, the radial distance and angle between the individual rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106 and the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107 can be alternatively changed.

[0042] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The hydrocyclone ring plate 91 can also be seen to include at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108. The at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108 provides fluid communication between the annular cavity 110 and the primary hydrocyclone venturi region 102. In these figures, multiple oxidant outlet orifices 108 are included in the hydrocyclone ring plate 91. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The multiple oxidant outlet orifices 108 are shown as generally cylindrical holes through the rear wall 118. However, the oxidant outlet orifices 108 need not be cylindrical, but can instead be other shapes, such as triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, elliptical, etc. Furthermore, similar to the ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifice 109, the oxidant outlet orifices 108 can be conical. For example, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 may have a smaller size at the inlet end (i.e., the inlet side of the outlet orifice at the front surface 146 of the rear wall 118) and a larger size at the outlet end (i.e., the outlet side of the outlet orifice at the downstream side 136 (rear surface) of the rear wall 118). Alternatively, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 may have a larger size at the inlet end and a smaller size at the outlet end.

[0043] Figure 8 The oxidizer outlet orifice 108 is shown configured with an outlet orifice radial angle 126. The outlet orifice radial angle 126 is shown extending radially inward from the front surface 146 of the rear wall 118 to the rear surface 136 of the rear wall 118. The outlet orifice radial angle 126 is directed towards the tip 93 of the fuel nozzle 90 in a radially inward direction. Figure 4 The oxidant flow is supplied from the annular cavity 110 to the venturi region 102 of the primary hydrocyclone. The radial angle 126 of the outlet orifice is shown relative to the centerline 69 of the hydrocyclone assembly and can range from 0 degrees (i.e., the outlet orifice aligned axially parallel to the centerline 69 of the hydrocyclone assembly) to 70 degrees.

[0044] Refer again Figure 9 This illustrates the arrangement of the oxidant outlet orifice 108 through the rear surface 136 of the rear wall 118. (Brief review) Figure 8 Facing the top of the figure, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 is shown at an outlet orifice radial angle of 126 relative to the centerline 69 of the hydrocyclone assembly. Figure 8 The oxidant outlet orifice 108 shown is in Figure 9 The oxidant outlet orifice 108(a) is shown in the image. However, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 can also be arranged with an outlet orifice circumferential angle 138. That is, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 can be aligned with an outlet orifice radial angle 126 and an outlet orifice circumferential angle 138 (see, for example, oxidant outlet orifice 108(b))) to provide the oxidant flow from the annular cavity 110 to the primary hydrocyclone venturi region 102 radially inward and circumferentially about the hydrocyclone assembly centerline 69. Figure 9 In this configuration, the swirling direction of the oxidant outlet orifice 108(b) will be counterclockwise around the centerline 69 of the cyclone assembly. However, the circumferential angle 138 of the outlet orifice can be... Figure 9 The circumferential angles shown are opposite to provide an oxidant flow in a clockwise direction around the centerline 69 of the hydrocyclone assembly. Whether the outlet orifice circumferential angle 138 provides a clockwise or counterclockwise oxidant flow, this direction can be arranged to co-swirl with or opposite to the primary swirling direction 104 of the oxidant provided by the primary hydrocyclone 70 in the primary hydrocyclone venturi region 102 (see...). Figure 4 It is in the direction of the reverse swirling flow.

[0045] Figure 9The arrangement of multiple rows of oxidant outlet orifices 108 that may be included in the hydrocyclone collar plate 91 is also depicted. For example, a first row 140 and a second row 144 of oxidant outlet orifices 108 may be included in the hydrocyclone collar plate 91. The first row 140 of oxidant outlet orifices 108 may be circumferentially arranged at a radial distance 142 from the centerline 69 of the hydrocyclone assembly, while the second row 144 of oxidant outlet orifices 108 may be arranged at different radial distances 145 from the centerline 69 of the hydrocyclone assembly. The oxidant outlet orifices 108 of the first row 140 may be circumferentially equidistantly spaced apart by an opening angle distance 152. Similarly, the oxidant outlet orifices 108 of the second row 144 may be circumferentially equidistantly spaced apart by an opening angle distance 154. Of course, the oxidant outlet orifices 108 of the first row 140 or the second row 144 do not need to be circumferentially equidistantly spaced, and the individual oxidant outlet orifices 108 within each row can have different angular distances 152 and 154. Furthermore, the oxidant outlet orifices 108 of the first row 140 can be staggered (i.e., offset) relative to the oxidant outlet orifices 108 of the second row 144. For example, using a reference line 148 connecting the centerline 69 of the hydrocyclone assembly and the center of one of the oxidant outlet orifices 108 of the second row 144 (e.g., the center of oxidant outlet orifice 108(a)), the oxidant outlet orifices 108 of the first row 140 can be circumferentially offset by an offset angle 150 relative to the oxidant outlet orifices 108 of the second row 144.

[0046] Figures 10 to 14 An additional arrangement of the oxidant outlet orifice 108 according to aspects of this disclosure is depicted. Figure 10 Is Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the alternative arrangement, taken from 200 details. Figure 10 In the diagram, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 is shown positioned at the fuel nozzle opening 124 via the rear wall 118. That is, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 is formed at the fuel nozzle opening 124 between the fuel nozzle outer surface 156 of the fuel nozzle 90 and the cyclone collar plate 91. Figure 12 Is for Figure 10 The aspects shown are in Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view taken at plane AA. Figure 12As can be seen, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 in this arrangement is formed as a rectangular outlet orifice, or a groove formed by the fuel nozzle opening 124 of the cyclone collar plate 91. Therefore, the outer surface 156 of the fuel nozzle 90 defines the radially inward portion of the oxidant outlet orifice 108. Of course, as with the previous aspects of this disclosure, the oxidant outlet orifice 108 is not limited to a rectangular shape, but can be implemented in other shapes instead. Furthermore, the number, size, and spacing of the rectangular oxidant outlet orifices 108 can vary similarly to those described above. Furthermore, although... Figure 12 A plurality of rectangular outlet orifices 108 spaced circumferentially around the fuel nozzle opening 124 are depicted, but... Figure 4 The section cut off at point AA in the plane Figure 13 Exemplary aspects of this disclosure are depicted, wherein a single circumferential or annular oxidant outlet orifice 208 or groove may be implemented instead of multiple oxidant outlet orifices 108.

[0047] Return to reference Figure 10 To provide fluid communication between the annular cavity 110 and the oxidant outlet orifice 108, a channel 158 is included in the hydrocyclone ring plate 91, extending at the rear wall 118 through a radially inward portion of the annular conical wall 120. The radially inward portion of the channel 158 defines a portion of the oxidant outlet orifice 108. In this aspect, to provide support for the annular conical wall 120 and seal the front side of the annular cavity 110 in which the channel 158 is formed, a support rib 160 may be included as part of the hydrocyclone ring plate 91. The inner surface 162 of the support rib 160 forms part of the fuel nozzle opening 124 of the hydrocyclone ring plate in which the oxidant outlet orifice 108 is formed. The support rib 160 may be formed as part of a circumferential annular wall surrounding the circumferential centerline 69 of the hydrocyclone assembly in which the oxidant outlet orifice 108 is formed. Therefore, in this respect, the flow path of the oxidant flow from the annular cavity 110 to the venturi region 102 of the primary hydrocyclone passes through the channel 158 and then through the oxidant outlet orifice 108. Similarly, the size, number, and arrangement of the aforementioned flow path elements can be arranged to achieve the desired pressure drop ΔP3. Furthermore, the annular outlet orifice can be implemented as the oxidant outlet orifice 108. Figure 13 In this aspect, the channel 158 can form an annular channel around the entire circumference of the fuel nozzle opening 124.

[0048] Also in Figure 4 200 details captured Figure 11 Another arrangement of the oxidant outlet orifice according to aspects of this disclosure is depicted. Figure 11 In some ways, it is similar to Figure 10In this respect, it includes a channel 158 and a support rib 160, but the oxidizer outlet orifice 108 is not formed to extend through the rear wall 118 at the outer surface 156 of the fuel nozzle. Instead, the fuel nozzle 90 includes a fuel nozzle cavity 164 and a fuel nozzle oxidizer outlet orifice 166 formed in the radially outer portion of the fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle oxidizer outlet orifice 166 provides fluid communication between the fuel nozzle cavity 164 and the primary cyclone venturi region 102. (As in...) Figure 4 The section cut off at point AA in the plane Figure 14 As seen, multiple fuel nozzle chambers 164 and corresponding fuel nozzle oxidizer outlet orifices 166 can be provided circumferentially around the fuel nozzle 90. Alternatively, similar to Figure 13 In the arrangement shown, the fuel nozzle chamber 164 and / or the fuel nozzle oxidizer outlet orifice 166 can be formed as an annular fuel nozzle chamber and an annular outlet orifice around the entire circumference of the fuel nozzle 90. In this case, the channel 158 can also be formed around the entire circumference of the fuel nozzle opening 124. Therefore, Figure 11 The oxidant flows from the annular cavity 110 through the channel 158 into the fuel nozzle cavity 164, and then exits through the fuel nozzle oxidant outlet orifice 166 into the venturi region 102 of the primary cyclone separator. These elements together form the oxidant outlet orifice.

[0049] exist Figure 4 Details captured at point 202 Figure 15 Another aspect of this disclosure is depicted in relation to the ring oxidant inlet orifice 109. In the previously discussed aspect, the primary hydrocyclone 70 includes a primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice 107, which, together with the rear wall oxidant inlet orifice 106, forms the ring oxidant inlet orifice 109, providing fluid communication between the primary hydrocyclone 70 and the annular cavity 110. A third stream 114 of oxidant flows from the primary hydrocyclone 70 through the ring oxidant inlet orifice 109 into the annular cavity 110. Figure 15 In this respect, the third stream 114 of oxidant is supplied to the annular cavity 110 from the secondary cyclone separator 72 instead of from the primary cyclone separator 70. Therefore, as... Figure 15 As shown, the secondary hydrocyclone front wall 113, which also forms the rear wall of the primary hydrocyclone 70, includes a plurality of secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 117 therethrough. A plurality of flow tubes 119 are provided within the primary hydrocyclone 70 to connect the secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 117 to the primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107. Therefore, in this aspect, the respective secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 117, flow tubes 119, primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107, and rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106 together form a ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifice 109.

[0050] In operation, this aspect is similar to the aspect described above, wherein the oxidant is supplied via a primary cyclone separator. More specifically, a second stream 103 of oxidant from pressure chamber 66 is supplied to secondary cyclone separator 72, where a first pressure drop ΔP1 is generated. A third stream 114 originates from secondary cyclone separator 72 through ring oxidant inlet orifices 109 (now composed of 117, 119, 107, and 106), where a second pressure drop ΔP2 is generated. The remaining fourth stream 116, which generates a third pressure drop ΔP3, is the same as described above.

[0051] Of course, this disclosure is not limited to the oxidant inlet orifice 109 of the ring, as shown in the example. Figure 4 As shown (i.e., from the primary hydrocyclone to the annular cavity) or where the oxidant inlet orifice 109 is as shown Figure 15 The aspect shown (i.e., flow from the secondary cyclone to the annular cavity). Conversely, a combination of both aspects can be implemented in the same cyclone assembly. For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, when eight primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107 are provided, four of them can be implemented. Figure 4 The oxidant inlet orifice 109 of the ring is arranged, while the other four can be implemented. Figure 15 The oxidant inlet orifice 109 of the ring is arranged.

[0052] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a method of operating the combustor of a gas turbine engine. Figure 16 A flowchart depicting the processing steps of the method of this aspect of the present disclosure is provided. In step 1600, a burner 26 is provided. The burner includes various components, such as i) a pressure chamber 66 and ii) a cyclone assembly 50, which includes: a) a cyclone 51 having a primary cyclone 70 with a primary cyclone venturi tube 100 and a secondary cyclone 72; b) a cyclone bead plate 91 connected to the primary cyclone 70 and including a fuel nozzle opening 124 extending therethrough and an annular pressure drop chamber 110. The annular pressure drop chamber 110 has a plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices 106, and the primary cyclone 70 has a plurality of primary cyclone oxidant outlet orifices 107, which together form a plurality of bead oxidant inlet orifices 109, each bead oxidant inlet orifice 109 being in fluid communication with the primary cyclone 70. Alternatively, the secondary cyclone may include a secondary cyclone oxidant outlet orifice 117, and a flow tube 119 may be included in the primary cyclone to form a ring oxidant inlet orifice 109 in fluid communication with the secondary cyclone 72. The annular pressure drop chamber 110 also includes at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108 in fluid communication with the venturi region 102 of the primary cyclone. The cyclone assembly 50 also includes a fuel nozzle 90 disposed in a fuel nozzle opening 124 in the cyclone ring plate 91. The structure and arrangement of any of the aforementioned burner components may be as described above. Figures 1 to 15 Any structure and arrangement described.

[0053] Once the burner 26 according to this disclosure is provided, the remaining operational processes for operating the burner are performed. It will be readily understood that the following processes of this method are performed via the operation of the engine 10. In step 1601, the first stream 94 of oxidant ( Figure 2 The oxidant is supplied to the pressure chamber 66, where the first stream 94 has a first pressure P1. This process is described above, wherein in operation, the engine 10 draws in air 73, and a portion of the air 73 enters the compressor section as compressor inlet air stream 80, where the compressor inlet air stream 80 is compressed. Then, compressed air 82 is supplied to the combustor 26 via a diffuser (not shown), where a portion of the air 82(a) enters the pressure chamber 66 as the first stream 94.

[0054] Next, in step 1602, a second stream 101 (or 103) of oxidant is supplied from the pressure chamber 66 to the hydrocyclone 51. In the aspect of flowing through the primary hydrocyclone 70, the second stream in step 1602 is the second stream 101. In the aspect of flowing through the secondary hydrocyclone 72, the second stream in step 1602 is the second stream 103. In step 1603, a first pressure drop ΔP1 from pressure P1 to pressure P2 is introduced into the second stream 101 (or into the second stream 103) of oxidant. Then, in step 1604, a third stream 114 of oxidant is supplied from the hydrocyclone 50 (i.e., from the primary hydrocyclone 70 or from the secondary hydrocyclone 72) to the annular pressure drop chamber 110 of the hydrocyclone ring plate 91 via a plurality of ringed oxidant inlet orifices 109. In step 1605, a second pressure drop ΔP2 is caused in the third flow 114 of the oxidant through the ring oxidant inlet orifice 109 to the annular pressure drop chamber 110, wherein the second pressure drop is from the second pressure P2 to a third pressure P3 lower than the second pressure.

[0055] In step 1606, a fourth stream 116 of oxidant is supplied from the annular pressure drop chamber 110 to the primary hydrocyclone venturi region 102 via at least one oxidant outlet orifice 108 of the hydrocyclone ring plate 91. The fourth stream 116 of oxidant passing through at least one outlet orifice of the hydrocyclone ring plate 91 causes a third pressure drop ΔP3 from a third pressure P3 to a fourth pressure P4 below the third pressure (step 1607). The second pressure drop ΔP2 and the third pressure drop ΔP3 form the total pressure drop ΔP through the hydrocyclone ring plate 91. TFP The second pressure drop ΔP2 can provide the total pressure drop ΔP. TFP Between 10% and 90%, while the third pressure drop ΔP3 can provide the total pressure drop ΔP. TFP The rest of the text.

[0056] Next, in step 1608, the fourth stream 116 of oxidant entering the primary cyclone venturi region 102 mixes with the swirling oxidant stream from the primary cyclone 70. Fuel 92 is also injected into the primary cyclone venturi region 102 of the primary cyclone venturi 100 through fuel nozzle 90. Fuel 92 mixes with the fourth stream 116 of oxidant and the swirling oxidant stream from the primary cyclone 70 to generate a primary cyclone fuel-air mixture. The primary cyclone fuel-air mixture travels through the primary cyclone venturi 100 toward the downstream end 99 of the cyclone assembly. Then, the primary cyclone fuel-air mixture mixes with the swirling oxidant from the secondary cyclone 72 in the flare cone downstream of the primary cyclone venturi 100 to generate the cyclone assembly fuel-air mixture (step 1609). Then, the fuel-air mixture of the cyclone assembly is ignited in the combustion chamber 62 to form combustion products 86 (step 1610).

[0057] While the foregoing description generally pertains to gas turbine engines, it is readily understood that gas turbine engines can be implemented in a variety of environments. For example, the engine can be implemented in aircraft, but it can also be implemented in non-aircraft applications such as power plants, marine applications, or oil and gas production applications. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to use in aircraft.

[0058] Further aspects of this disclosure are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses.

[0059] A swirler assembly for a burner, the swirler assembly defining a centerline therethrough, the swirler assembly comprising: a swirler including (a) a primary swirler and (b) a secondary swirler, the primary swirler including (i) a primary swirler venturi tube, (ii) a primary swirler front wall extending radially outward from and circumferentially around the centerline of the swirler assembly, and (iii) a plurality of primary swirler oxidant outlet orifices extending through the primary swirler front wall; a swirler collar plate connected to an upstream side of the primary swirler front wall and including along the swirler assembly. A centerline extends through a fuel nozzle opening therein; and a fuel nozzle disposed in the fuel nozzle opening of the hydrocyclone ring plate, the hydrocyclone ring plate comprising: (a) a rear wall extending radially outward from the fuel nozzle opening and including a plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices extending through the rear wall; (b) an annular conical wall extending radially inward from a radially inward portion of the rear wall at the fuel nozzle opening and extending radially outward upstream from the rear wall; and (c) an annular cavity wall connecting the radially outward portion of the rear wall and the upstream end of the annular conical wall, the annular cavity being formed in the rear wall, the annular conical wall, and the annular conical wall. Between the shaped wall and the annular cavity wall, a corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice among the plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices is arranged in fluid communication with a corresponding corresponding rear wall oxidant inlet orifice among the plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices to define a corresponding ring oxidant inlet orifice among the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices, wherein each ring oxidant inlet orifice among the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices provides fluid communication between the hydrocyclone assembly and the annular cavity of the hydrocyclone ring plate, wherein the hydrocyclone ring plate includes at least one oxidant outlet orifice providing fluid communication between the annular cavity and the primary hydrocyclone venturi tube, wherein the first flow A pressure chamber supplied to the upstream side of the hydrocyclone assembly, a second flow of the oxidant supplied from the pressure chamber to the hydrocyclone assembly causes a first pressure drop from a first pressure in the pressure chamber to a second pressure lower than the first pressure, wherein a third flow of the oxidant entering the annular cavity from the hydrocyclone assembly through the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices causes a second pressure drop from the second pressure to a third pressure lower than the second pressure, and wherein a fourth flow of the oxidant entering the venturi tube of the primary hydrocyclone from the annular cavity through the at least one oxidant outlet orifice causes a third pressure drop from the third pressure to a fourth pressure lower than the second pressure.

[0060] According to any of the preceding clauses, the at least one oxidant outlet orifice comprises a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices arranged axially through the rear wall relative to the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly.

[0061] According to any of the foregoing clauses, the at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices arranged relative to the centerline of the cyclone assembly from the upstream side of the rear wall at a radially inward angle through the rear wall to the downstream side of the rear wall, so as to guide a fourth flow of the oxidant through therein toward the tip of the fuel nozzle.

[0062] According to any of the foregoing clauses, the plurality of oxidant outlet orifices are further arranged circumferentially at an angle in the co-swirling direction with the swirling direction of the primary hydrocyclone.

[0063] According to any of the foregoing clauses, the second pressure drop comprises between 10% and 90% of the total pressure drop through the hydrocyclone ring plate, and the third pressure drop comprises the remainder of the total pressure drop through the hydrocyclone ring plate.

[0064] According to any of the preceding clauses, the at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices, each oxidant outlet orifice being defined adjacent to the fuel nozzle, wherein the outer surface of the fuel nozzle defines a portion of each oxidant outlet orifice.

[0065] According to any of the preceding clauses of the cyclone assembly, wherein the at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices, wherein the fuel nozzle includes a plurality of fuel nozzle chambers on the radially outer portion of the fuel nozzle, each of the plurality of fuel nozzle chambers being in fluid communication with the annular cavity via a corresponding oxidant outlet orifice among the plurality of oxidant outlet orifices, and wherein each fuel nozzle chamber includes a fuel nozzle oxidant outlet orifice providing fluid communication between the fuel nozzle chamber and the primary cyclone venturi tube.

[0066] According to any of the preceding clauses of the hydrocyclone assembly, wherein the at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes an annular channel defining the fuel nozzle opening through the hydrocyclone ferrule plate, and wherein the fuel nozzle includes (i) an annular fuel nozzle cavity in the radially outer portion of the fuel nozzle, the annular fuel nozzle cavity being in fluid communication with the annular cavity via the annular channel, and (ii) at least one fuel nozzle oxidant outlet orifice providing fluid communication between the annular fuel nozzle cavity and the primary hydrocyclone venturi tube.

[0067] According to any of the foregoing clauses, the at least one fuel nozzle oxidizer outlet orifice includes an annular outlet orifice.

[0068] According to any of the preceding clauses, the hydrocyclone assembly wherein the at least one oxidant outlet orifice comprises multiple rows of oxidant outlet orifices arranged circumferentially through the rear wall, each of the multiple rows being arranged at a different radial distance from the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly.

[0069] According to any of the preceding clauses of the hydrocyclone assembly, wherein the at least one oxidant outlet orifice comprises any one of a circular orifice, a rectangular orifice, a triangular orifice, and a trapezoidal orifice.

[0070] According to any of the preceding clauses of the hydrocyclone assembly, wherein the at least one oxidant outlet orifice is tapered from a first dimension at the front surface of the rear wall to a second dimension at the rear surface of the rear wall, the first dimension being different from the second dimension.

[0071] According to any of the preceding clauses, the primary hydrocyclone further includes a plurality of primary hydrocyclone impellers circumferentially spaced around the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly, and each of the plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices passes through the primary hydrocyclone and is disposed between two consecutive primary hydrocyclone impellers among the plurality of impellers.

[0072] According to any of the preceding clauses, the secondary hydrocyclone includes (i) a secondary hydrocyclone front wall extending radially outward from and circumferentially around the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly, the secondary hydrocyclone front wall further defining a primary hydrocyclone rear wall, and (ii) a plurality of secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices extending through the secondary hydrocyclone front wall, wherein the hydrocyclone assembly further includes a plurality of flow tubes, each of the plurality of flow tubes connecting a corresponding secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice to a corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice, wherein the flow tube further defines a ring oxidant inlet orifice, and wherein a second flow of the oxidant entering the hydrocyclone is a flow of oxidant entering the inlet portion of the secondary hydrocyclone.

[0073] According to any of the preceding clauses, each of the plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices includes a slotted oxidant inlet orifice extending circumferentially through the rear wall about the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly, and one of the plurality of slotted oxidant inlet orifices is arranged together with more than one of the plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices of the primary hydrocyclone.

[0074] A method of operating a combustor for a gas turbine, the combustor comprising (a) a pressure chamber and (b) a swirler assembly, the swirler assembly comprising (i) a swirler having a primary swirler with a primary swirler venturi tube and a secondary swirler, (ii) a swirler collar plate connected to an upstream side of the primary swirler and including a fuel nozzle opening extending therethrough and an annular pressure drop chamber having a plurality of oxidant inlet orifices in fluid communication with the swirler assembly and at least one outlet orifice in fluid communication with the primary swirler venturi tube, and (iii) a fuel nozzle disposed in the fuel nozzle opening of the swirler collar plate, the method comprising: providing a first stream of oxidant to the pressure chamber, the first stream of oxidant having a first pressure A second stream of the oxidant is provided from the pressure chamber to the hydrocyclone assembly, the second stream of the oxidant causing a first pressure drop from the first pressure to a second pressure below the first pressure; a third stream of the oxidant is provided from the hydrocyclone assembly to the annular pressure drop chamber of the hydrocyclone ring plate via the plurality of oxidant inlet orifices of the annular pressure drop chamber, the second stream of the oxidant causing a second pressure drop from the second pressure to a third pressure below the second pressure in the stream of the oxidant in the annular pressure drop chamber; and a fourth stream of the oxidant is provided from the annular pressure drop chamber to the primary hydrocyclone venturi via the at least one outlet orifice of the hydrocyclone ring plate, the fourth stream of the oxidant causing a third pressure drop from the third pressure to a fourth pressure below the third pressure in the stream of the oxidant.

[0075] According to any of the foregoing clauses of the method, wherein the primary hydrocyclone includes a primary hydrocyclone front wall having a plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices therethrough, wherein a corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice of the plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices is in fluid communication with a corresponding oxidant inlet orifice of a plurality of oxidant inlet orifices of the annular pressure drop chamber, thereby defining a plurality of ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifices, and wherein a second flow of the oxidant entering the hydrocyclone assembly is a flow of the oxidant entering the primary hydrocyclone, and a third flow of the oxidant is a flow of the oxidant from the primary hydrocyclone to the annular pressure drop chamber via the plurality of ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifices.

[0076] According to the method of any of the foregoing clauses, the primary hydrocyclone includes a primary hydrocyclone front wall having a plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices therethrough, wherein a corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice is in fluid communication with a corresponding oxidant inlet orifice of a plurality of oxidant inlet orifices of the annular pressure drop chamber, thereby defining a plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices, wherein the secondary hydrocyclone is downstream of the primary hydrocyclone and includes a plurality of secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices through the front wall of the secondary hydrocyclone, wherein the hydrocyclone assembly further includes a plurality of flow tubes, the Each corresponding flow tube in the plurality of flow tubes connects a corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice in the plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices to a corresponding secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice in the plurality of secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices, thereby further defining the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices and providing fluid communication between the secondary hydrocyclone and the annular pressure drop chamber, wherein a second flow of the oxidant entering the hydrocyclone assembly is a flow of the oxidant entering the secondary hydrocyclone, and a third flow of the oxidant is a flow of the oxidant from the secondary hydrocyclone to the annular pressure drop chamber via the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices.

[0077] According to any of the foregoing clauses, the at least one outlet orifice comprises a plurality of outlet orifices arranged through the rear wall of the hydrocyclone ring plate, and the fourth flow of the oxidant is directed radially inward from the plurality of outlet orifices toward the tip of the fuel nozzle.

[0078] According to any of the preceding clauses of the method, wherein the second pressure drop comprises between 10% and 90% of the total pressure drop through the hydrocyclone ring plate, and the third pressure drop comprises the remainder of the total pressure drop through the hydrocyclone ring plate.

[0079] According to any of the foregoing clauses of the method, the at least one outlet orifice comprises a plurality of outlet orifices, each outlet orifice being defined at the fuel nozzle opening of the hydrocyclone ferrule plate, and wherein the outer surface of the fuel nozzle forms a radially inward portion of each outlet orifice.

[0080] While the foregoing description is directed to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, it should be noted that other changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, features described in connection with one embodiment of this disclosure may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.

Claims

1. A cyclone assembly for a burner, characterized in that, The hydrocyclone assembly defines a centerline passing through it, the hydrocyclone assembly comprising: A hydrocyclone, the hydrocyclone comprising (a) a primary hydrocyclone and (b) a secondary hydrocyclone, the primary hydrocyclone comprising (i) a primary hydrocyclone venturi tube, and (ii) a primary hydrocyclone front wall extending radially outward from and circumferentially around the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly, and (iii) a plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices extending through the primary hydrocyclone front wall; A hydrocyclone collar plate, the hydrocyclone collar plate being connected to the upstream side of the front wall of the primary hydrocyclone, and including a fuel nozzle opening extending therethrough along the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly; and A fuel nozzle, wherein the fuel nozzle is disposed in the fuel nozzle opening of the hydrocyclone collar plate. The hydrocyclone collar plate includes: (a) A rear wall that extends radially outward from the fuel nozzle opening and includes a plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices extending through the rear wall; (b) An annular conical wall extending radially inward from the rear wall at the fuel nozzle opening and radially outward upstream from the rear wall; and (c) An annular cavity wall connecting the radially outward portion of the rear wall and the upstream end of the annular conical wall, the annular cavity being formed between the rear wall, the annular conical wall, and the annular cavity wall. The respective primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices are arranged in fluid communication with the corresponding respective rear wall oxidant inlet orifices among the plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices, thereby defining the respective ring oxidant inlet orifices among the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices. Each of the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices provides fluid communication between the hydrocyclone and the annular cavity of the hydrocyclone ring plate. The hydrocyclone ring plate includes at least one oxidant outlet orifice, which provides fluid communication between the annular cavity and the primary hydrocyclone venturi tube. The first stream of oxidant is supplied to the pressure gas chamber upstream of the hydrocyclone assembly. The second flow of the oxidant supplied from the pressure chamber to the cyclone causes a first pressure drop from a first pressure in the pressure chamber to a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The third flow of the oxidant entering the annular cavity from the hydrocyclone through the plurality of ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifices causes a second pressure drop from the second pressure to a third pressure lower than the second pressure, and The fourth flow of the oxidant entering the venturi tube of the primary hydrocyclone from the annular cavity through the at least one oxidant outlet orifice causes a third pressure drop from the third pressure to a fourth pressure lower than the third pressure.

2. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices, the plurality of oxidant outlet orifices being arranged axially through the rear wall relative to the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly.

3. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices arranged relative to the centerline of the cyclone assembly from the upstream side of the rear wall at a radially inward angle through the rear wall to the downstream side of the rear wall, so as to guide a fourth flow of the oxidant through therein toward the tip of the fuel nozzle.

4. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plurality of oxidant outlet orifices are further arranged circumferentially at a certain angle in the co-swirling direction with the swirling direction of the primary hydrocyclone.

5. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second pressure drop includes between 10% and 90% of the total pressure drop through the hydrocyclone ring plate, and the third pressure drop includes the remainder of the total pressure drop through the hydrocyclone ring plate.

6. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices, each oxidant outlet orifice being defined adjacent to the fuel nozzle, wherein the outer surface of the fuel nozzle defines a portion of each oxidant outlet orifice.

7. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes a plurality of oxidant outlet orifices. The fuel nozzle includes a plurality of fuel nozzle chambers on its radially outer portion, each of the plurality of fuel nozzle chambers being in fluid communication with the annular cavity via a corresponding oxidant outlet orifice in the plurality of oxidant outlet orifices. Each fuel nozzle chamber includes a fuel nozzle oxidant outlet orifice, which provides fluid communication between the fuel nozzle chamber and the primary cyclone venturi tube.

8. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes an annular channel defined as passing through the fuel nozzle opening of the hydrocyclone ring plate, and The fuel nozzle includes (i) an annular fuel nozzle cavity in the radially outer portion of the fuel nozzle, the annular fuel nozzle cavity being in fluid communication with the annular cavity via the annular channel, and (ii) at least one fuel nozzle oxidant outlet orifice, the at least one fuel nozzle oxidant outlet orifice providing fluid communication between the annular fuel nozzle cavity and the primary cyclone venturi tube.

9. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The at least one fuel nozzle oxidizer outlet orifice includes an annular outlet orifice.

10. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one oxidant outlet orifice comprises multiple rows of oxidant outlet orifices arranged circumferentially through the rear wall, each of the multiple rows being arranged at a different radial distance from the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly.

11. The cyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one oxidant outlet orifice includes any one of a circular orifice, a rectangular orifice, a triangular orifice, and a trapezoidal orifice.

12. The cyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one oxidant outlet orifice is tapered from a first dimension at the front surface of the rear wall to a second dimension at the rear surface of the rear wall, wherein the first dimension is different from the second dimension.

13. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The primary cyclone further includes a plurality of primary cyclone impeller blades circumferentially spaced around the centerline of the cyclone assembly, and Each of the plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices passes through the primary hydrocyclone and is disposed between two consecutive primary hydrocyclone impellers in the plurality of primary hydrocyclone impellers.

14. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The secondary hydrocyclone includes (i) a secondary hydrocyclone front wall extending radially outward from and circumferentially around the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly, the secondary hydrocyclone front wall further defining a primary hydrocyclone rear wall, and (ii) a plurality of secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices extending through the secondary hydrocyclone front wall. The hydrocyclone assembly further includes a plurality of flow tubes, each of which connects a corresponding secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice to a corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice. Each of the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices is defined by a corresponding secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice, a corresponding flow tube, a corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice, and a corresponding rear wall oxidant inlet orifice. The second stream of the oxidant entering the hydrocyclone is the stream of the oxidant entering the inlet portion of the secondary hydrocyclone.

15. The hydrocyclone assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices includes a slotted oxidant inlet orifice extending circumferentially through the rear wall about the centerline of the hydrocyclone assembly, and One of the slotted oxidant inlet orifices of the plurality of rear wall oxidant inlet orifices is arranged together with more than one of the plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices of the primary hydrocyclone.

16. A method for operating a combustor of a gas turbine, characterized in that, The burner includes (a) a pressure chamber and (b) a swirler assembly, the swirler assembly including (i) a swirler having a primary swirler with a primary swirler venturi tube and a secondary swirler, (ii) a swirler collar plate connected to an upstream side of the primary swirler and including a fuel nozzle opening extending therethrough and an annular pressure drop chamber having a plurality of oxidant inlet orifices in fluid communication with the swirler assembly and at least one outlet orifice in fluid communication with the primary swirler venturi tube, and (iii) a fuel nozzle disposed in the fuel nozzle opening of the swirler collar plate, the method comprising: A first stream of oxidant is provided to the pressurized gas chamber, the first stream of oxidant having a first pressure; A second stream of the oxidant is provided from the pressure chamber to the cyclone assembly, the second stream of the oxidant causing a first pressure drop from the first pressure to a second pressure below the first pressure; A third flow of the oxidant is provided from the hydrocyclone assembly to the annular pressure drop chamber of the hydrocyclone ring plate via the plurality of oxidant inlet orifices of the annular pressure drop chamber. This third flow of the oxidant causes a second pressure drop in the flow of the oxidant within the annular pressure drop chamber, from the second pressure to a third pressure lower than the second pressure. A fourth flow of the oxidant is provided from the annular pressure drop chamber to the primary hydrocyclone venturi tube via at least one outlet orifice of the hydrocyclone ring plate, the fourth flow of the oxidant causing a third pressure drop in the flow of the oxidant from the third pressure to a fourth pressure below the third pressure.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The primary hydrocyclone includes a primary hydrocyclone front wall having a plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices therethrough. A corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice is in fluid communication with a corresponding oxidant inlet orifice of a plurality of oxidant inlet orifices of the annular pressure drop chamber, thereby defining a plurality of ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifices. The second flow of the oxidant entering the hydrocyclone assembly is the flow of the oxidant entering the primary hydrocyclone, and the third flow of the oxidant is the flow of the oxidant from the primary hydrocyclone to the annular pressure drop chamber via the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The primary hydrocyclone includes a primary hydrocyclone front wall having a plurality of primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices therethrough. A corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice is in fluid communication with a corresponding oxidant inlet orifice of a plurality of oxidant inlet orifices of the annular pressure drop chamber, thereby defining a plurality of ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifices. The secondary hydrocyclone is located downstream of the primary hydrocyclone and includes a plurality of secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifices extending through the front wall of the secondary hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone assembly further includes a plurality of flow tubes, each of which connects a corresponding primary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice to a corresponding secondary hydrocyclone oxidant outlet orifice, thereby further defining the plurality of ring-shaped oxidant inlet orifices and providing fluid communication between the secondary hydrocyclones and the annular pressure drop chamber. The second flow of the oxidant entering the hydrocyclone assembly is the flow of the oxidant entering the secondary hydrocyclone, and the third flow of the oxidant is the flow of the oxidant from the secondary hydrocyclone to the annular pressure drop chamber via the plurality of ring oxidant inlet orifices.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The at least one outlet orifice comprises a plurality of outlet orifices arranged through the rear wall of the hydrocyclone ring plate, and the fourth flow of the oxidant is directed radially inward from the plurality of outlet orifices toward the tip of the fuel nozzle.

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The second pressure drop includes between 10% and 90% of the total pressure drop through the hydrocyclone ring plate, and the third pressure drop includes the remainder of the total pressure drop through the hydrocyclone ring plate.

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