Fuel supply method, fuel supply apparatus, fuel combustion apparatus provided with the fuel supply apparatus, and gas turbine apparatus

Abstract

The fuel supply apparatus includes a main ammonia line through which liquid ammonia flows; a vaporizer connected to an end portion of the main ammonia line, which heats a heating medium and the liquid ammonia in heat exchange with each other to heat the liquid ammonia and thereby vaporize the liquid ammonia; a gaseous ammonia line connected to the vaporizer, which guides gaseous ammonia, which is ammonia vaporized by the vaporizer, as fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine; a liquid ammonia line, which guides the liquid ammonia that is not heat-exchanged with the heating medium in the vaporizer, as fuel to the combustor; and a switcher that switches an ammonia supply state between a first state in which the gaseous ammonia is guided from the gaseous ammonia line to the combustor and a second state in which the liquid ammonia is guided from the liquid ammonia line to the combustor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a fuel supply method, fuel supply equipment, fuel combustion equipment equipped with the fuel supply equipment, and gas turbine equipment for supplying ammonia as fuel to a gas turbine.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-021753, filed in Japan on February 15, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] A gas turbine includes: a compressor for compressing air; a combustor for burning fuel in the compressed air to produce combustion gases; and a turbine driven by the combustion gases. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of using ammonia as fuel supplied to the combustor.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2018 / 181002 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] When ammonia is used as fuel in a gas turbine, a portion of the nitrogen that forms ammonia is converted into NOx. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the amount of NOx generated when using ammonia as fuel in a gas turbine. Furthermore, even when ammonia is used as fuel in a gas turbine, it is desirable to ensure stable combustion of ammonia as much as possible, similar to the case where natural gas or the like is used as fuel in a gas turbine.

[0009] Therefore, the object of this disclosure is to provide a technology that, when ammonia is used as fuel for a gas turbine, can stably supply ammonia from the start-up of the gas turbine until it is operating at rated load, and can stably burn ammonia while suppressing the formation of NOx.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] A fuel supply device, as one embodiment of the aforementioned objective, comprises: a main ammonia pipeline connected to an ammonia tank capable of storing liquid ammonia; a main ammonia pump disposed in the main ammonia pipeline, capable of pressurizing the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank; a vaporizer connected to the end of the main ammonia pipeline, capable of heating the liquid ammonia by exchanging heat between a heating medium and the liquid ammonia pressurized by the main ammonia pump, thereby vaporizing the liquid ammonia; a gaseous ammonia pipeline connected to the vaporizer, capable of directing gaseous ammonia, which is vaporized by the vaporizer, as fuel to the burner of a gas turbine; a liquid ammonia pipeline, capable of directing liquid ammonia pressurized by the main ammonia pump but not exchanging heat with the heating medium in the vaporizer, as fuel to the burner; and a switcher capable of switching an ammonia supply state between multiple states, including a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is a state in which gaseous ammonia is directed from the gaseous ammonia pipeline to the burner, and the second state is a state in which liquid ammonia is directed from the liquid ammonia pipeline to the burner.

[0012] In this design, both gaseous and liquid ammonia can be introduced into the burner. Considering the operation of a gas turbine, gaseous ammonia cannot be supplied to the burner at a specified pressure unless energy is supplied from an external source during startup. Therefore, it is preferable to supply liquid ammonia to the burner during startup. On the other hand, when gaseous ammonia is injected from the burner's fuel nozzles as fuel, NOx formation can be suppressed. However, at low fuel flow rates, the possibility of fuel misfire is high, but the amount of NOx formed is low due to the low ammonia flow rate itself. Conversely, at high fuel flow rates, the possibility of fuel misfire is low, but the amount of NOx formed is high due to the high ammonia flow rate itself. Therefore, at low fuel flow rates, liquid ammonia is introduced into the burner to reduce the possibility of fuel misfire and to ensure stable fuel combustion. Furthermore, at high fuel flow rates, gaseous ammonia is introduced into the burner to suppress NOx formation. As a result, in this design, liquid ammonia is supplied to the burner during startup, thereby supplying ammonia as fuel to the burner even without external heat energy supply. Furthermore, this solution enables stable combustion of ammonia and suppresses NOx formation without the use of fuels other than ammonia during the period from startup to rated operation.

[0013] A fuel combustion device, as one embodiment of the objective, comprises: a fuel supply device as one embodiment; and a burner that causes the fuel from the fuel supply device to burn in compressed air to produce combustion gases.

[0014] A gas turbine device, as one embodiment of the proposed objective, comprises a fuel supply device and a gas turbine. The gas turbine includes: a compressor for compressing air to generate compressed air; a combustor for burning fuel from the fuel supply device in the compressed air to generate combustion gases; and a turbine driven by the combustion gases.

[0015] As one embodiment of the proposed objective, the fuel supply method comprises the following steps: an ammonia pressurization step, which pressurizes the liquid ammonia from an ammonia tank containing liquid ammonia; a vaporization step, which heats the liquid ammonia by exchanging heat with a heating medium in the ammonia pressurization step to vaporize the liquid ammonia; and a switching step, which switches the ammonia supply state between a plurality of states, including a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is a state in which gaseous ammonia, which is vaporized in the vaporization step, is directed as fuel to the combustor of a gas turbine, and the second state is a state in which liquid ammonia, which is pressurized in the ammonia pressurization step but has not exchanged heat with the heating medium in the vaporization step, is directed as fuel to the combustor.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] In one aspect of this disclosure, ammonia can be stably combusted, and the formation of NOx can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a system diagram of the gas turbine equipment in the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a fuel nozzle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the execution sequence of a fuel supply method in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a graph showing the change in the percentage of fuel flow over time in one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a graph showing the relationship between the air-fuel ratio and NOx concentration in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a system diagram of the gas turbine equipment in the second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a system diagram of the gas turbine equipment in the third embodiment of this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a graph showing the change in the percentage of fuel flow over time in the first variation of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a system diagram of the gas turbine equipment in the second variation of this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a system diagram of the gas turbine equipment in the third variation of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, various embodiments and modifications of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] "First Implementation Method"

[0030] The following uses Figures 1-5 A first embodiment of the gas turbine equipment disclosed herein will be described.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the gas turbine equipment of this embodiment includes: a gas turbine 10; a denitrification device 20 for decomposing NOx components contained in the exhaust gas from the gas turbine 10; a waste heat recovery boiler 21 for generating steam using the heat from the exhaust gas flowing out of the denitrification device 20; a chimney 22 for discharging the exhaust gas from the waste heat recovery boiler 21 to the outside; a steam turbine 23 driven by steam from the waste heat recovery boiler 21; a condenser 24 for converting steam from the steam turbine 23 back into water; a pump 25 for sending water from the condenser 24 to the waste heat recovery boiler 21; a fuel supply device 40 for supplying fuel to the gas turbine 10; and a control device 60. It should be noted that the denitrification device 20 may also be configured within the waste heat recovery boiler 21.

[0032] The gas turbine 10 includes: a compressor 14 that compresses air A; a combustor 15 that burns fuel in the air compressed by the compressor 14 to produce combustion gases; and a turbine 16 that is driven by the high-temperature and high-pressure combustion gases.

[0033] The compressor 14 includes: a compressor rotor 14r that rotates about a rotor axis Ar; a compressor housing 14c that covers the compressor rotor 14r; and an intake flow regulator (hereinafter referred to as an IGV (inlet guide vane)) 14i, which is provided at the intake port of the compressor housing 14c. The IGV 14i regulates the flow rate of air drawn into the compressor housing 14c according to instructions from the control device 60.

[0034] The turbine 16 includes a turbine rotor 16r that rotates about a rotor axis Ar around which combustion gas from the combustor 15 passes; and a turbine housing 16c that covers the turbine rotor 16r. The turbine rotor 16r and the compressor rotor 14r are connected to each other in a manner that allows them to rotate about the same rotor axis Ar, forming a gas turbine rotor 11. A generator rotor, for example, is connected to this gas turbine rotor 11.

[0035] The gas turbine 10 also includes an intermediate casing 12. The intermediate casing 12 is disposed between the compressor casing 14c and the turbine casing 16c in the direction in which the rotor axis Ar extends, connecting the compressor casing 14c and the turbine casing 16c. Compressed air discharged from the compressor 14 flows into the intermediate casing 12.

[0036] A burner 15 is fixed to the intermediate housing 12. The burner 15 includes: a combustion tube (or tail tube) 15c, which forms a combustion chamber 15s inside; and a burner body 15b, which injects fuel and compressed air into the combustion chamber 15s. The combustion tube 15c, which forms the combustion chamber 15s, constitutes a combustion chamber former. Within the combustion chamber 15s, fuel burns in the compressed air. The combustion gases generated by the fuel combustion flow through the combustion chamber 15s and are directed to the turbine 16. The burner body 15b has a fuel nozzle 15n for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber 15s.

[0037] Ammonia is supplied to the denitrification unit 20. The denitrification unit 20 uses ammonia to decompose NOx contained in the exhaust gas from the gas turbine 10 into nitrogen and water vapor.

[0038] Waste heat recovery boiler 21 and condenser 24 are connected via water supply line 26. A pump 25 is installed on this water supply line 26 to deliver water from condenser 24 to waste heat recovery boiler 21. Waste heat recovery boiler 21 is connected to steam turbine 23 via main steam line 27. Waste heat recovery boiler 21 utilizes the heat from the exhaust gas from gas turbine 10 to convert water from water supply line 26 into steam. This steam is delivered to steam turbine 23 via main steam line 27. A generator rotor, for example, is connected to the rotor of steam turbine 23. Steam discharged from steam turbine 23 is condensed back into water by condenser 24.

[0039] The fuel supply equipment 40 includes: an ammonia tank 41, a main ammonia pipeline 42, a flow regulating valve 43, a main ammonia pump 44, a vaporizer 45, a gas ammonia pipeline 46, a liquid ammonia pipeline 47, a switch 48, a gas ammonia compressor 51, a liquid ammonia pump 52, a heating medium pipeline 53, a heating medium valve 54, and a heating medium recovery pipeline 55.

[0040] Liquid ammonia (NH3L) is stored in ammonia tank 41. A main ammonia line 42 is connected to the ammonia tank 41. The main ammonia line 42 is equipped with a main ammonia pump 44 to pressurize the liquid ammonia (NH3L) from the ammonia tank 41 and a flow regulating valve 43 to regulate the flow rate of ammonia in the main ammonia line 42. The end of the main ammonia line 42 is connected to the ammonia inlet of the vaporizer 45.

[0041] The vaporizer 45 is a heat exchanger that heats liquid ammonia (NH3L) by exchanging heat between steam (as the heating medium) and liquid ammonia (NH3L), thereby vaporizing the liquid ammonia (NH3L). A heating medium pipeline 53 is connected to one end of the gasifier 45's medium inlet. The other end of this heating medium pipeline 53 is connected to the main steam pipeline 27. A heating medium valve 54 is provided on the heating medium pipeline 53 to regulate the flow rate of the steam flowing through it. A heating medium recovery pipeline 55 is connected to one end of the gasifier 45's medium outlet. The other end of this heating medium recovery pipeline 55 is connected to the condenser 24. It should be noted that, alternatively, the other end of the heating medium recovery pipeline 55 may be connected to the portion of the waste heat recovery boiler 21 through which water flows, without connecting to the condenser 24.

[0042] A gaseous ammonia line 46 is connected to one end of the ammonia outlet of the vaporizer 45. A fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15 is connected to the other end of the gaseous ammonia line 46. A gaseous ammonia compressor 51 is provided on the gaseous ammonia line 46 to pressurize the gaseous ammonia NH3G flowing therein.

[0043] One end of the liquid ammonia line 47 is connected to the main ammonia line 42, between the main ammonia pump 44 and the vaporizer 45. The other end of the liquid ammonia line 47 is connected to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15. A liquid ammonia pump 52 is provided on the liquid ammonia line 47 to pressurize the liquid ammonia NH3L flowing therein.

[0044] The flow regulating valve 43 is located in the main ammonia line 42 and between it and the main ammonia pump 44 at the connection point between the main ammonia line 42 and the liquid ammonia line 47. This flow regulating valve 43 regulates the flow rate of fuel supplied to the burner 15 by adjusting the flow rate of liquid ammonia (NH3L) flowing in the main ammonia line 42.

[0045] The switch 48 switches the ammonia supply state between a first state, a second state, and a third state. The first state involves guiding gaseous ammonia (NH3G) from the gaseous ammonia line 46 to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15. The second state involves guiding liquid ammonia (NH3L) from the liquid ammonia line 47 to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15. The third state involves guiding both gaseous ammonia (NH3G) from the gaseous ammonia line 46 and liquid ammonia (NH3L) from the liquid ammonia line 47 to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15. The switch 48 includes a gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g and a liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i. The gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g is located in the main ammonia line 42, between the connection point of the main ammonia line 42 and the liquid ammonia line 47 and the vaporizer 45. The gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g regulates the flow rate of gaseous ammonia (NH3G) supplied to the burner 15 via the gaseous ammonia line 46 by regulating the flow rate of liquid ammonia (NH3L) flowing from the main ammonia line 42 to the vaporizer 45. A liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i is installed on the liquid ammonia pipeline 47. The liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i regulates the flow rate of liquid ammonia (NH3L) flowing in the liquid ammonia pipeline 47.

[0046] The first state can be achieved by setting the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i to the closed state and the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g to the open state. The second state can be achieved by setting the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i to the open state and the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g to the closed state. The third state can be achieved by setting both the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i and the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g to the semi-open state.

[0047] Switch 48 can also be replaced by a three-way valve, replacing both the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g and the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i. In this case, the three-way valve is located at the connection between the main ammonia line 42 and the liquid ammonia line 47. This three-way valve regulates the ratio of the flow rate of liquid ammonia NH3L flowing into the vaporizer 45 to the flow rate of liquid ammonia NH3L flowing into the liquid ammonia line 47.

[0048] In this embodiment, the fuel combustion device includes a fuel supply device 40 and a burner 15.

[0049] The control device 60 receives a request output from the gas turbine 10 from the outside and controls the operation of the flow regulating valve 43 and the switch 48 according to the request output. This control device 60 is a computer. The control device 60 has, in hardware, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for performing various calculations, a main storage device such as memory that serves as the CPU's working area, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive, an input device such as a keyboard or mouse, and a display device. This control device 60 functions, for example, by the CPU executing a control program stored in the auxiliary storage device.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15 has an inner cylinder 31 that is cylindrical around the nozzle axis An and an outer cylinder 32 that is cylindrical around the nozzle axis An and disposed on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 31. Here, the direction in which the nozzle axis An extends is defined as the axial direction Da, and one side of the axial direction Da is defined as the rear side Dab, and the other side as the front side Daf. The positions of the ends of the front side Daf of the inner cylinder 31 and the front side Daf of the outer cylinder 32 are substantially the same in the axial direction Da. A liquid fuel flow path 33 is formed on the inner periphery of the inner cylinder 31. The liquid fuel flow path 33 has a liquid fuel inlet 33i and a liquid fuel injection port 33o. The end of the rear side Dab of the liquid fuel flow path 33 constitutes the liquid fuel inlet 33i, and the end of the front side Daf of the liquid fuel flow path 33 constitutes the liquid fuel injection port 33o. A liquid ammonia line 47 is connected to the liquid fuel inlet 33i. A gaseous fuel flow path 34 is formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 31 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 32. The gaseous fuel flow path 34 has a gaseous fuel inlet 34i and a gaseous fuel injection port 34o. An opening is formed on the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 32 at the rear side Dab. This opening constitutes the gaseous fuel inlet 34i of the gaseous fuel flow path 34, and the end of the front side Daf of the gaseous fuel flow path 34 constitutes the gaseous fuel injection port 34o. A gaseous ammonia line 46 is connected to the gaseous fuel inlet 34i. Compressed air Acom from the compressor 14 flows as combustion air from the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 32 and from the end of the front side Daf of the outer cylinder 32 toward the front side Daf.

[0051] Next, according to Figure 3 The flowchart shown illustrates the sequence of fuel supply methods in the gas turbine equipment described above.

[0052] In this fuel supply method, the following steps are performed: ammonia pressurization step S1, flow regulation step S2, switching control step S3, steam generation step S4, gasification step S5, and switching step S6.

[0053] In the ammonia pressurization process S1, the main ammonia pump 44 pressurizes the liquid ammonia (NH3L) flowing from the ammonia tank 41 into the main ammonia pipeline 42. In the flow regulation process S2, the flow regulation valve 43 regulates the flow rate of the liquid ammonia (NH3L) flowing in the main ammonia pipeline 42. The flow rate of fuel supplied to the burner 15 is regulated by regulating the flow rate of the liquid ammonia (NH3L). The control device 60 receives a request output from the gas turbine 10. Based on the request output, the control device 60 determines the flow rate of fuel supplied to the burner 15. The fuel flow rate is determined in a manner that is positively correlated with the request output. That is, the fuel flow rate is determined such that when the request output increases, the fuel flow rate increases. The control device 60 instructs the flow regulation valve 43 to make the flow rate of fuel supplied to the burner 15 the determined flow rate.

[0054] In the switching control process S3, the control device 60 determines the fuel supply status to any one of the first, second, and third states, and instructs the switcher 48 to become that state.

[0055] Reference Figure 4 The method for determining the fuel supply state implemented by the control device 60 will be explained. The fuel supply amount to the gas turbine 10 gradually increases as time passes from startup to rated operation. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the flow rate of fuel supplied to the burner 15 when the requested output is lower than the rated output is lower than the flow rate of fuel supplied to the burner 15 when the requested output is the rated output. Here, when the percentage of fuel flow rate when the requested output is the rated output is set to 100%, the percentage of fuel flow rate before startup is 0%. Furthermore, the percentage of fuel flow rate when the requested output is a predetermined output lower than the rated output is set to α.

[0056] When the fuel flow rate percentage determined by the requested output is greater than 0% and less than α%, indicating a low fuel flow, control device 60 selects the second state among the first, second, and third states. This second state, as previously described, is a state where only liquid ammonia (NH3L) is directed to the fuel nozzle 15n as fuel. When the fuel flow rate percentage determined by the requested output is α%, control device 60 selects the third state among the first, second, and third states, as previously described. This third state is a state where both liquid ammonia (NH3L) and gaseous ammonia (NH3G) are directed to the fuel nozzle 15n as fuel. When the fuel flow rate percentage determined by the requested output is greater than α%, indicating a high fuel flow, control device 60 selects the first state among the first, second, and third states. This first state, as previously described, is a state where only gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is directed to the fuel nozzle 15n as fuel. Control device 60 instructs switcher 48 to adopt this selected state.

[0057] In the steam generation process S4, the waste heat recovery boiler 21 exchanges heat between the waste gas from the gas turbine 10 and water, turning the water into steam.

[0058] The gasification process S5 is executed when either the first or third state is set to the fuel supply state in the switching control process S3, and is not executed when the second state is set to the fuel supply state. In the gasification process S5, liquid ammonia NH3L is heated and vaporized in the gasifier 45 by a heating medium. As for the steam used as the heating medium, a portion of the steam generated in the steam generation process S4 is used.

[0059] In the switching process S6, the switch 48 operates in a manner that is one of the states indicated by the control device 60, namely the first state, the second state, and the third state.

[0060] For example, when the control device 60 indicates the first state, of the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g and the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i of the switch 48, the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g becomes open and the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i becomes closed. As a result, liquid ammonia NH3L is guided to the vaporizer 45 via the main ammonia line 42 and the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g, where it becomes gaseous ammonia NH3G. This gaseous ammonia NH3G is then guided to the burner 15 via the gaseous ammonia line 46 and the gaseous ammonia compressor 51. On the other hand, the liquid ammonia NH3L pressurized by the main ammonia pump 44 does not flow into the liquid ammonia line 47. Thus, in the first state performed under multiple fuel flow conditions, only gaseous ammonia NH3G is supplied as fuel to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15. This gaseous ammonia NH3G flows through the gaseous fuel flow path 34 of the fuel nozzle 15n and is injected into the combustion chamber 15c from the gaseous fuel injection port 34o.

[0061] Furthermore, when the control device 60 indicates the second state, of the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g and the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i included in the switch 48, the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g becomes closed, and the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i becomes open. As a result, liquid ammonia NH3L is guided to the burner 15 via the liquid ammonia line 47, the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i, and the liquid ammonia pump 52. On the other hand, the liquid ammonia NH3L pressurized by the main ammonia pump 44 is not guided to the vaporizer 45. Therefore, in the second state performed when the fuel flow is low, only liquid ammonia NH3L is supplied as fuel to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15. This liquid ammonia NH3L flows through the liquid fuel flow path 33 of the fuel nozzle 15n and is injected into the combustion chamber 15c from the liquid fuel injection port 33o.

[0062] Furthermore, when the control device 60 indicates the third state, both the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g and the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i of the switch 48 become partially open. As a result, liquid ammonia NH3L is guided to the vaporizer 45 via the main ammonia line 42 and the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g, where it becomes gaseous ammonia NH3G. This gaseous ammonia NH3G is then guided to the burner 15 via the gaseous ammonia line 46 and the gaseous ammonia compressor 51. In addition, liquid ammonia NH3L also flows into the liquid ammonia line 47, and is guided to the burner 15 via this liquid ammonia line 47, the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i, and the liquid ammonia pump 52. Thus, in the third state, which is performed at a fuel flow rate of α% between low and high fuel flow rates, both liquid ammonia NH3L and gaseous ammonia NH3G are supplied as fuel to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15. The gaseous ammonia (NH3G) flows through the gaseous fuel flow path 34 of the fuel nozzle 15n and is injected into the combustion chamber 15c from the gaseous fuel injection port 34o. Conversely, the liquid ammonia (NH3L) flows through the liquid fuel flow path 33 of the fuel nozzle 15n and is injected into the combustion chamber 15c from the liquid fuel injection port 33o.

[0063] However, as Figure 4 As shown, when transitioning from a low fuel flow rate to a high fuel flow rate via an α% fuel flow rate, the α% fuel flow rate is maintained for a predetermined time or more. In the third state executed during the α% fuel flow rate, the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i gradually closes over the predetermined time, and the flow rate of liquid ammonia (NH3L) directed to the burner 15 gradually decreases over time. In this third state, the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g gradually opens over the predetermined time, and the flow rate of gaseous ammonia (NH3G) directed to the burner 15 gradually increases over time. Furthermore, when transitioning from a high fuel flow rate to a low fuel flow rate via an α% fuel flow rate, the α% fuel flow rate is also maintained for a predetermined time or more. In the third state executed during the α% fuel flow rate, the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g gradually closes over the predetermined time, and the flow rate of gaseous ammonia (NH3G) directed to the burner 15 gradually decreases over time. In this third state, during the specified time, the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i will gradually open as time passes, and the flow rate of liquid ammonia NH3L guided to the burner 15 will gradually increase as time passes.

[0064] When ammonia is used as fuel in gas turbine 10, a portion of the nitrogen forming ammonia is converted into NOx. The amount of NOx generated depends on the flow rate of ammonia used as fuel and the air-fuel ratio. If the flow rate of ammonia used as fuel increases, the amount of NOx generated increases; if the flow rate of ammonia used as fuel decreases, the amount of NOx generated decreases. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, the NOx concentration in the combustion gases is highest at a certain fuel-air ratio, r. This NOx concentration gradually decreases as the fuel-air ratio becomes smaller than a certain value r. Furthermore, this NOx concentration gradually decreases as the fuel-air ratio becomes larger than a certain value r.

[0065] Therefore, in this embodiment, the air-fuel ratio is controlled so that its value does not become a value within a specified air-fuel ratio range R that is higher than the specified value c. The control device 60 performs this air-fuel ratio control. As described above, the control device 60 determines the fuel flow rate based on the request output. Then, based on the determined fuel flow rate, the control device 60 determines the opening degree of the IGV14i and instructs the IGV14i to do so. At this time, the control device 60 determines the opening degree of the IGV14i in a manner that prevents the air-fuel ratio, which is the ratio of the determined fuel flow rate to the air flow rate drawn into the compressor 14, from becoming a value within the aforementioned specified air-fuel ratio range R.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, both gaseous ammonia (NH3G) and liquid ammonia (NH3L) can be introduced into the burner 15. When liquid ammonia (NH3L) is injected from the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15 as fuel, misfires can be suppressed, and stable combustion of the fuel can be achieved. On the other hand, when gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is injected from the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15 as fuel, NOx formation can be suppressed. However, at low fuel flow rates, the possibility of fuel misfire is high, but the amount of NOx formed is low due to the low ammonia flow rate itself. Conversely, at high fuel flow rates, the possibility of fuel misfire is low, but the amount of NOx formed is high due to the high ammonia flow rate itself. Therefore, in this embodiment, as mentioned above, at low fuel flow rates, liquid ammonia (NH3L) is introduced into the burner 15 to reduce the possibility of fuel misfire and to achieve stable combustion of the fuel. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at high fuel flow rates, gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is introduced into the burner 15 to suppress NOx formation. Therefore, in this embodiment, liquid ammonia is supplied to the burner during startup, so that ammonia as fuel can be supplied to the burner even without external heat supply. Moreover, in this embodiment, ammonia can be stably burned without using fuel other than ammonia during the period from startup to rated operation, and NOx formation can be suppressed.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the air-fuel ratio is controlled to a value within a specified air-fuel ratio range R that will not cause the NOx concentration to exceed a specified value c. Therefore, from this perspective, NOx formation can also be suppressed in this embodiment.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the combustion gases discharged from the gas turbine 10 are discharged to the outside through the chimney 22 after passing through the denitrification device 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, NOx emissions can be suppressed.

[0069] When transitioning from a state where only gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is directed to burner 15 to a state where only liquid ammonia (NH3L) is directed to burner 15, and conversely, when transitioning from a state where only liquid ammonia (NH3L) is directed to burner 15 to a state where only gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is directed to burner 15, the sudden change in the phase of the fuel injected from the fuel nozzle 15n of burner 15 can disrupt the stable combustibility of the fuel. In this embodiment, the fuel nozzle 15n has a liquid fuel flow path 33 and a gaseous fuel flow path 34, enabling the simultaneous injection of both liquid ammonia (NH3L) and gaseous ammonia (NH3G). Furthermore, in this embodiment, during the transition from a first state to a second state or from a second state to a first state, both liquid ammonia (NH3L) and gaseous ammonia (NH3G) are directed as fuel to the fuel nozzle 15n of burner 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, stable combustibility of the fuel during the transition process described above can be ensured.

[0070] "Second Implementation Method"

[0071] The following uses Figure 6 A second embodiment of the gas turbine equipment disclosed herein will be described.

[0072] The gas turbine equipment in this embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, including a gas turbine 10, a denitrification device 20, a waste heat recovery boiler 21, a steam turbine 23, a condenser 24, a pump 25, a fuel supply device 40a, and a control device 60. However, the fuel supply device 40a in this embodiment differs from the fuel supply device 40 in the first embodiment.

[0073] The fuel supply device 40a of this embodiment is similar to the fuel supply device 40 of the first embodiment, including an ammonia tank 41, a main ammonia pipeline 42, a main ammonia pump 44, a vaporizer 45, a gaseous ammonia pipeline 46, a liquid ammonia pipeline 47, a switch 48, a heating medium pipeline 53, a heating medium valve 54, and a heating medium recovery pipeline 55. However, the fuel supply device 40a of this embodiment does not include the flow regulating valve 43, the gaseous ammonia compressor 51, and the liquid ammonia pump 52 of the fuel supply device 40 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i and the gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g constituting the switch 48 also perform the functions of the flow regulating valve 43 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main ammonia pump 44 also performs the functions of the gaseous ammonia compressor 51 and the liquid ammonia pump 52.

[0074] As described above, the fuel supply device 40a of this embodiment does not include the flow regulating valve 43, the gaseous ammonia compressor 51, and the liquid ammonia pump 52 found in the fuel supply device 40 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the equipment manufacturing cost can be reduced compared to the first embodiment.

[0075] "Third Implementation Method"

[0076] The following uses Figure 7 A third embodiment of the gas turbine equipment disclosed herein will be described.

[0077] The gas turbine equipment in this embodiment is similar to that in the first and second embodiments, including a gas turbine 10, a denitrification device 20, a waste heat recovery boiler 21, a steam turbine 23, a condenser 24, a pump 25, a fuel supply device 40b, and a control device 60. However, the fuel supply device 40b in this embodiment differs from the fuel supply devices 40 and 40a in the first and second embodiments.

[0078] The fuel supply device 40b of this embodiment is similar to the fuel supply device 40 of the first embodiment, including an ammonia tank 41, a main ammonia line 42, a flow regulating valve 43, a main ammonia pump 44, a vaporizer 45, a gaseous ammonia line 46, a switch 48b, a heating medium line 53, a heating medium valve 54, and a heating medium recovery line 55. However, in the fuel supply device 40b of this embodiment, the gaseous ammonia line 46 also serves as the liquid ammonia line 47 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the fuel supply device 40b of this embodiment does not have a liquid ammonia line 47 independent of the gaseous ammonia line 46. Thus, the fuel supply device 40b of this embodiment, like the fuel supply device 40a of the second embodiment, does not have a gaseous ammonia compressor 51 and a liquid ammonia pump 52. Furthermore, the switch 48b of this embodiment has a heating medium valve 54, but like the switch 48 of the first and second embodiments, it does not have a liquid ammonia flow regulating valve 48i and a gaseous ammonia flow regulating valve 48g.

[0079] In this embodiment, when the second state is achieved, the heating medium valve 54 is closed. As a result, the steam, which serves as the heating medium, is not directed to the vaporizer 45. Even if liquid ammonia (NH3L) from the main ammonia line 42 flows into the vaporizer 45, it will not be heated by the heating medium, but will instead flow out of the vaporizer 45 in its liquid ammonia (NH3L) state. This liquid ammonia (NH3L) is directed to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15 via the gaseous ammonia line 46, which also serves as the liquid ammonia line 47.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the first state is achieved, the heating medium valve 54 is opened. As a result, steam, which serves as the heating medium, is directed to the vaporizer 45. When liquid ammonia (NH3L) from the main ammonia line 42 flows into the vaporizer 45, it is heated by the heating medium, vaporized, and then flows out of the vaporizer 45. The gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is directed to the fuel nozzle 15n of the burner 15 via the gaseous ammonia line 46, which also serves as the liquid ammonia line 47.

[0081] As described above, the fuel supply device 40b of this embodiment can suppress equipment manufacturing costs compared to the first and second embodiments because the gas ammonia pipeline 46 also serves as the liquid ammonia pipeline 47.

[0082] It should be noted that in the fuel supply device 40b of this embodiment, there is no liquid ammonia pipeline 47 independent of the gas ammonia pipeline 46. Therefore, the fuel nozzle 15n of this embodiment has only one fuel flow path, unlike the first and second embodiments which have two fuel flow paths.

[0083] In the waste heat recovery boiler 21, warm water is generated during the process of turning water into steam. Therefore, in the above embodiments, this warm water can also be used as a heating medium for heat exchange with liquid ammonia (NH3L).

[0084] "First Variation"

[0085] In the first embodiment, like using Figure 4 As explained, in the case of transitioning from a low fuel flow rate to a high fuel flow rate after passing through α% fuel flow rate, and in the case of transitioning from a high fuel flow rate to a low fuel flow rate after passing through α% fuel flow rate, the α% fuel flow rate will be maintained for a predetermined time or more. However, in the transitions described above, the α% fuel flow rate may not be maintained for a predetermined time or more.

[0086] Here, as Figure 8 As shown, the percentage of fuel flow rate that is greater than α% and less than 100% is defined as β%. Furthermore, it is assumed that the fuel supply to the gas turbine 10 increases linearly with time from startup to rated operation. Therefore, it is assumed that the period from α% fuel flow rate to β% fuel flow rate during the transition from startup to rated operation of the gas turbine 10 also increases linearly with time.

[0087] In this variation, when the fuel flow rate percentage is less than α%, the second state is executed; when the fuel flow rate percentage is greater than β%, the first state is executed; and when the fuel flow rate percentage is greater than α% and less than β%, the third state is executed.

[0088] In the transition from a low fuel flow rate to a high fuel flow rate, under the third state where the fuel flow rate percentage is α% or higher and β% or lower, the liquid ammonia flow control valve 48i gradually closes over time, and the flow rate of liquid ammonia (NH3L) directed to the burner 15 gradually decreases over time. Conversely, the gaseous ammonia flow control valve 48g gradually opens over time, and the flow rate of gaseous ammonia (NH3G) directed to the burner 15 gradually increases over time. Furthermore, in the transition from a high fuel flow rate to a low fuel flow rate, under the third state where the fuel flow rate percentage is α% or higher and β% or lower, the gaseous ammonia flow control valve 48g gradually closes over time, and the flow rate of gaseous ammonia (NH3G) directed to the burner 15 gradually decreases over time. Conversely, the liquid ammonia flow control valve 48i gradually opens over time, and the flow rate of liquid ammonia (NH3L) directed to the burner 15 gradually increases over time.

[0089] "Second Variation"

[0090] In the embodiments described above, steam or warm water generated by the waste heat recovery boiler 21 is used as the heating medium for heat exchange with liquid ammonia (NH3L). However, it is also possible to use waste gas flowing within the waste heat recovery boiler 21 as the heating medium for heat exchange with liquid ammonia (NH3L). Therefore, using... Figure 9 A modified example in which the waste gas flowing in the waste heat recovery boiler 21 is used as a heating medium for heat exchange with liquid ammonia (NH3L) will be described.

[0091] The fuel supply device 40c in this modification is a variation of the fuel supply device 40 of the first embodiment. A portion of the waste gas flowing within the waste heat recovery boiler 21 is directed to the gasifier 45 in this modification. Therefore, in this modification, one end of a heating medium pipeline 53c is connected to the medium inlet of the gasifier 45, and the other end of the heating medium pipeline 53c is connected to the waste heat recovery boiler 21. A heating medium valve 54c is provided on the heating medium pipeline 53c to regulate the flow rate of the waste gas flowing in the heating medium pipeline 53c. One end of a heating medium recovery pipeline 55c is connected to the medium outlet of the gasifier 45. The other end of the heating medium recovery pipeline 55c is connected, for example, to the chimney 22. It should be noted that the other end of the heating medium recovery pipeline 55c may also be connected to a position downstream of the position where the other end of the heating medium pipeline 53c is connected in the waste heat recovery boiler 21, without being connected to the chimney 22. Here, the downstream side is the downstream side relative to the waste gas flow within the waste heat recovery boiler 21.

[0092] "Third Variation"

[0093] The fuel supply device 40c in the second modification described above is configured to have a gasifier 45 disposed outside the waste heat recovery boiler 21 and to guide the waste gas flowing within the waste heat recovery boiler 21 to the gasifier 45. However, it could also be, as Figure 10 As shown, a heat transfer tube 45d, serving as a gasifier, is installed inside the waste heat recovery boiler 21. Liquid ammonia (NH3L) flows into this heat transfer tube 45d, and the liquid ammonia (NH3L) is heated by waste gas flowing inside the waste heat recovery boiler 21 and outside the heat transfer tube 45d. In the case of this fuel supply device 40d, one end of the main ammonia line 42 is connected to one end of the heat transfer tube 45d, and one end of the gaseous ammonia line 46 is connected to the other end of the heat transfer tube 45d.

[0094] It should be noted that although the fuel supply device 40d of the third modification and the fuel supply device 40c of the second modification are modifications of the fuel supply device 40 of the first embodiment, the fuel supply device 40a of the second embodiment and the fuel supply device 40b of the third embodiment can also use the waste gas flowing in the waste heat recovery boiler 21 as a heating medium for heat exchange with liquid ammonia NH3L, just like the third modification or the second modification.

[0095] The embodiments and modifications of this disclosure have been described in detail above, but this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications. Various additions, changes, substitutions, partial deletions, etc., can be made without departing from the conceptual idea and spirit of the invention derived from the claims and their equivalents.

[0096] Postscript

[0097] The fuel supply equipment in the above embodiments is, for example, understood in the following manner.

[0098] (1) The fuel supply equipment in the first scheme has the following features:

[0099] A main ammonia pipeline 42 is connected to an ammonia tank 41 capable of storing liquid ammonia NH3L; a main ammonia pump 44 is installed in the main ammonia pipeline 42 and can pressurize the liquid ammonia NH3L from the ammonia tank 41; a vaporizer 45 is connected to the end of the main ammonia pipeline 42 and can heat the liquid ammonia NH3L by exchanging heat between the heating medium and the liquid ammonia NH3L pressurized by the main ammonia pump 44, thereby vaporizing the liquid ammonia NH3L; a gaseous ammonia pipeline 46 is connected to the vaporizer 45 and can use gaseous ammonia NH3G, which is ammonia vaporized by the vaporizer 45, as fuel to fuel the gas turbine 10. The burner 15 is guided by a liquid ammonia line 47, which can guide liquid ammonia NH3L pressurized by the main ammonia pump 44 and which has not exchanged heat with the heating medium in the vaporizer 45 as fuel to the burner 15; and a switcher 48, 48b, which can switch the ammonia supply state between a plurality of states including a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is the state of guiding gaseous ammonia NH3G from the gaseous ammonia line 46 to the burner 15, and the second state is the state of guiding liquid ammonia NH3L from the liquid ammonia line 47 to the burner 15.

[0100] In this design, both gaseous ammonia (NH3G) and liquid ammonia (NH3L) can be introduced into burner 15. When liquid ammonia (NH3L) is injected from the fuel nozzle 15n of burner 15 as fuel, misfires can be suppressed, resulting in stable combustion. On the other hand, when gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is injected from the fuel nozzle 15n of burner 15 as fuel, NOx formation can be suppressed. However, at low fuel flow rates, the possibility of fuel misfire is high, but the amount of NOx formed is low due to the low ammonia flow rate. Conversely, at high fuel flow rates, the possibility of fuel misfire is low, but the amount of NOx formed is high due to the high ammonia flow rate. Therefore, at low fuel flow rates, liquid ammonia (NH3L) is introduced into burner 15 to reduce the possibility of fuel misfire and to achieve stable combustion. Furthermore, at high fuel flow rates, gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is introduced into burner 15 to suppress NOx formation. As a result, in this design, ammonia combustion is stable and NOx formation is suppressed.

[0101] (2) Regarding the fuel supply equipment in the second scheme

[0102] In the fuel supply device of the first scheme, the switchers 48 and 48b can switch the ammonia supply state between a third state, the first state, and the second state. The third state is the state in which gaseous ammonia NH3G from the gaseous ammonia line 46 and liquid ammonia NH3L from the liquid ammonia line 47 are directed to the burner 15.

[0103] When transitioning from a state where only gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is introduced to burner 15 to a state where only liquid ammonia (NH3L) is introduced to burner 15, and conversely from a state where only liquid ammonia (NH3L) is introduced to burner 15 to a state where only gaseous ammonia (NH3G) is introduced to burner 15, the phase of the fuel injected from the fuel nozzle 15n of burner 15 changes abruptly, which can disrupt the stable combustibility of the fuel. Therefore, in this design, a third state is executed during the transition from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state. Thus, in this design, stable combustibility of the fuel during the transition process described above can be ensured.

[0104] (3) Regarding the fuel supply equipment in the third option,

[0105] The fuel supply device in the first or second embodiment further includes a flow regulating valve 43 for regulating the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the burner 15.

[0106] (4) Regarding the fuel supply equipment in the fourth scheme

[0107] In the fuel supply equipment of any one of the first to the third schemes, the end of the liquid ammonia pipeline 47 is connected to the main ammonia pipeline 42 at a position between the main ammonia pump 44 and the vaporizer 45.

[0108] (5) Regarding the fuel supply equipment in the fifth scheme

[0109] In the fuel supply device of the fourth embodiment, the switch 48 is a valve 48g, 48i that can switch the ammonia supply state between the following states: guiding liquid ammonia NH3L pressurized by the main ammonia pump 44 to the vaporizer 45 to achieve the first state; and guiding liquid ammonia NH3L pressurized by the main ammonia pump 44 to the liquid ammonia line 47 to achieve the second state.

[0110] (6) Regarding the fuel supply equipment in the sixth scheme

[0111] The fuel supply equipment in the fourth or fifth embodiment further includes: a liquid ammonia pump 52, disposed in the liquid ammonia pipeline 47, capable of pressurizing the liquid ammonia NH3L flowing in the liquid ammonia pipeline 47; and a gaseous ammonia compressor 51, disposed in the gaseous ammonia pipeline 46, capable of pressurizing the gaseous ammonia NH3G flowing in the gaseous ammonia pipeline 46.

[0112] In this scheme, the pressure of liquid ammonia NH3L guided to burner 15 via liquid ammonia line 47 can be easily changed to the target pressure, and the pressure of gaseous ammonia NH3G guided to burner 15 via gaseous ammonia line 46 can be easily changed to the target pressure.

[0113] (7) Regarding the fuel supply equipment in the seventh scheme

[0114] In the fuel supply equipment of any of the first to the third schemes, the gaseous ammonia line 46 also serves as the liquid ammonia line 47. The switch 48b is a heating medium valve 54 capable of switching the supply state of the heating medium between: a state in which the heating medium is directed to the vaporizer 45 to achieve the first state; and a state in which the heating medium is not directed to the vaporizer 45 to achieve the second state.

[0115] In this scheme, the gaseous ammonia pipeline 46 also serves as the liquid ammonia pipeline 47. Therefore, the pipeline structure is simple and can suppress equipment manufacturing costs.

[0116] (8) Regarding the fuel supply equipment in the eighth scheme

[0117] The fuel supply equipment in any one of the first to the seventh schemes further includes: a control device 60, which receives a request output from the gas turbine from the outside, determines one of a plurality of states including the first state and the second state according to the request output, and instructs the switchers 48, 48b to become the state.

[0118] The fuel flow rate supplied to the burner 15 varies according to the requested output. The control device 60 of this solution determines one of several states, including a first state and a second state, based on the requested output. Therefore, in this solution, the fuel supply state can be set to the first state when there is a high fuel flow rate and the fuel supply state can be set to the second state when there is a low fuel flow rate.

[0119] The fuel combustion device in the above embodiments is, for example, understood in the following manner.

[0120] (9) The fuel combustion equipment in the ninth scheme has the following features:

[0121] The fuel supply device in any one of the first to the eighth embodiments; and the burner 15, which causes the fuel from the fuel supply device 40 to burn in compressed air Acom to produce combustion gases.

[0122] (10) Regarding the fuel combustion equipment in the tenth scheme

[0123] In the fuel combustion device of the ninth embodiment, the burner 15 includes: a combustion chamber former 15c that forms a combustion chamber 15s, which is capable of supplying the fuel for combustion and guiding the combustion gases generated by the combustion of the fuel to a turbine 16; and a burner body 15b that can inject the fuel and compressed air Acom into the combustion chamber 15s. The burner body 15b has a fuel nozzle 15n that can inject the fuel into the combustion chamber 15s. The fuel nozzle 15n includes: a gaseous fuel flow path 34 connected to the gaseous ammonia line 46, which can inject gaseous ammonia NH3G flowing from the gaseous ammonia line 46 into the combustion chamber 15s; and a liquid fuel flow path 33 connected to the liquid ammonia line 47, which can inject liquid ammonia NH3L flowing from the liquid ammonia line 47 into the combustion chamber 15s.

[0124] The gas turbine equipment in the above embodiments is understood, for example, in the following manner.

[0125] (11) The gas turbine equipment in Scheme Eleven has the following features:

[0126] The fuel supply device and the gas turbine 10 in any one of the first to eighth embodiments. The gas turbine 10 includes: a compressor 14 for compressing air to generate compressed air Acom; a combustor 15 for burning the fuel from the fuel supply device 40 in the compressed air Acom to generate combustion gas; and a turbine 16 that can be driven by the combustion gas.

[0127] (12) Regarding the gas turbine equipment in the twelfth scheme

[0128] In the gas turbine equipment of the eleventh embodiment, the burner 15 includes: a combustion chamber former 15c that forms a combustion chamber 15s, which is capable of supplying fuel for combustion and guiding the combustion gases generated by the combustion of the fuel to the turbine 16; and a burner body 15b that can inject the fuel and the compressed air Acom into the combustion chamber 15s. The burner body 15b has a fuel nozzle 15n that can inject the fuel into the combustion chamber 15s. The fuel nozzle 15n includes: a gaseous fuel flow path 34 connected to the gaseous ammonia line 46, which can inject gaseous ammonia NH3G flowing from the gaseous ammonia line 46 into the combustion chamber 15s; and a liquid fuel flow path 33 connected to the liquid ammonia line 47, which can inject liquid ammonia NH3L flowing from the liquid ammonia line 47 into the combustion chamber 15s.

[0129] In this scheme, gaseous ammonia NH3G and liquid ammonia NH3L can be injected simultaneously from the fuel nozzle 15n.

[0130] (13) Regarding the gas turbine equipment in Scheme 13

[0131] The gas turbine equipment in the eleventh or twelfth embodiment further includes: a waste heat recovery boiler 21 that uses the heat of the exhaust gas, which is the combustion gas discharged from the turbine 16, to generate steam; and a heating medium pipeline 53 that guides a portion of the steam generated in the waste heat recovery boiler 21 or a portion of the water heated by the waste heat recovery boiler 21 as the heating medium to the gasifier 45.

[0132] (14) Regarding the gas turbine equipment in Scheme Fourteen

[0133] In the gas turbine equipment of the eleventh or twelfth embodiment, the vaporizer 45 can heat the liquid ammonia NH3L by exchanging heat with the exhaust gas, which is the combustion gas discharged from the turbine 16 and serves as the heating medium, through heat exchange with the liquid ammonia NH3L that has been pressurized by the main ammonia pump 44, thereby vaporizing the liquid ammonia NH3L.

[0134] The fuel supply method in the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0135] (15) In the fuel supply method of item fifteen, the following steps are performed:

[0136] The ammonia pressurization step S1 pressurizes the liquid ammonia NH3L from the ammonia tank 41 storing liquid ammonia NH3L; the vaporization step S5 heats the liquid ammonia NH3L by exchanging heat with the pressurized liquid ammonia NH3L in the ammonia pressurization step S1, thereby vaporizing the liquid ammonia NH3L; and the switching step S6 switches the ammonia supply state between a plurality of states including a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is a state in which gaseous ammonia NH3G, which is ammonia vaporized in the vaporization step S5, is directed as fuel to the burner 15 of the gas turbine 10, and the second state is a state in which liquid ammonia NH3L, which is pressurized in the ammonia pressurization step S1 and has not exchanged heat with the heating medium in the vaporization step S5, is directed as fuel to the burner 15.

[0137] In this scheme, similar to the first scheme mentioned above, ammonia can be stably burned and NOx formation can be suppressed.

[0138] (16) Regarding the fuel supply method in the sixteenth scheme

[0139] In the fuel supply method of the fifteenth scheme, in the switching step S6, the ammonia supply state is switched between the third state, the first state, and the second state. The third state is the state in which gaseous ammonia NH3G and liquid ammonia NH3L are introduced to the burner 15.

[0140] In this scheme, similar to the second scheme described above, by executing the third state during the transition from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state, the stable combustibility of the fuel during the transition process described above can be ensured.

[0141] (17) Regarding the fuel supply method in Scheme Seventeen

[0142] In the fuel supply method of the fifteenth or sixteenth embodiment, a flow regulation step S2 is also performed to regulate the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the burner 15.

[0143] (18) Regarding the fuel supply method in the eighteenth scheme

[0144] In the fuel supply method of any of the fifteenth to seventeenth embodiments, the gasification step S5 is performed via a gasifier 45, which supplies the liquid ammonia (NH3L) pressurized in the ammonia pressurization step S1 and the heating medium, allowing heat exchange between the liquid ammonia (NH3L) and the heating medium. In the switching step S6, the ammonia supply state is switched between: a state where the liquid ammonia (NH3L) pressurized in the ammonia pressurization step S1 is supplied to the gasifier 45 to achieve the first state; and a state where the liquid ammonia (NH3L) pressurized in the ammonia pressurization step S1 is not supplied to the gasifier 45 to achieve the second state.

[0145] (19) Regarding the fuel supply method in the nineteenth scheme

[0146] In the fuel supply method of any of the fifteenth to seventeenth embodiments, the gasification step S5 is performed via a gasifier 45, which supplies the liquid ammonia (NH3L) pressurized in the ammonia pressurization step S1 and the heating medium, allowing heat exchange between the liquid ammonia (NH3L) and the heating medium. In the switching step S6, the supply state of the heating medium is switched between: a state in which the heating medium is supplied to the gasifier 45 to achieve the first state; and a state in which the heating medium is not supplied to the gasifier 45 to achieve the second state.

[0147] (20) Regarding the fuel supply method in the twentieth plan

[0148] In the fuel supply method of any one of the fifteenth to nineteenth schemes, a switching control step S3 is also performed, which involves receiving a request output from the gas turbine from the outside, determining one of a plurality of states including the first state and the second state based on the request output, and executing the one state in the switching step S6.

[0149] The fuel flow rate supplied to burner 15 varies according to the requested output. In this scheme, similar to the eighth scheme mentioned above, the fuel supply state can be set to the first state when there is a high fuel flow rate and the fuel supply state can be set to the second state when there is a low fuel flow rate.

[0150] (21) Regarding the fuel supply method in Scheme 21

[0151] In the fuel supply method of any of the fifteenth to twentyth embodiments, a steam generation step S4 is also performed to generate steam using the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the gas turbine 10. In the gasification step S5, a portion of the steam generated in the steam generation step S4 or the warm water generated during the execution of the steam generation step S4 is used as the heating medium.

[0152] (22) Regarding the fuel supply method in Scheme 22

[0153] In the fuel supply method of any of the fifteenth to twentyth embodiments, in the gasification step S5, the exhaust gas discharged from the gas turbine 10 is used as the heating medium.

[0154] Industrial availability

[0155] In one aspect of this disclosure, ammonia can be stably combusted while suppressing the formation of NOx.

[0156] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0157] 10: Gas turbine;

[0158] 11: Gas turbine rotor;

[0159] 12: Intermediate shell;

[0160] 14: Compressor;

[0161] 14r: Compressor rotor;

[0162] 14c: Compressor housing;

[0163] 14i: Inspiratory volume regulator (or IGV);

[0164] 15: Burner;

[0165] 15c: Combustion tube (or tail tube, or combustion chamber former);

[0166] 15s: Combustion chamber;

[0167] 15b: Burner body;

[0168] 15n: Fuel nozzle;

[0169] 16: Turbine;

[0170] 16r: Turbine rotor;

[0171] 16c: Turbine housing;

[0172] 20: Denitrification device;

[0173] 21: Waste heat recovery boiler;

[0174] 22: Chimney;

[0175] 23: Steam turbine;

[0176] 24: Condenser;

[0177] 25: Pump;

[0178] 26: Water supply pipelines;

[0179] 27: Main steam pipeline;

[0180] 31: Inner cylinder;

[0181] 32: Outer cylinder;

[0182] 33: Liquid fuel flow path;

[0183] 33i: Liquid fuel inlet;

[0184] 33o: Liquid fuel injection port;

[0185] 34: Gas fuel flow path;

[0186] 34i: Gas fuel inlet;

[0187] 34o: Gas fuel injection port;

[0188] 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d: Fuel supply equipment;

[0189] 41: Ammonia tank;

[0190] 42: Main ammonia pipeline;

[0191] 43: Flow regulating valve;

[0192] 44: Main ammonia pump;

[0193] 45: Vaporizer;

[0194] 45d: Heat transfer tube (vaporizer);

[0195] 46: Ammonia gas pipeline;

[0196] 47: Liquid ammonia pipeline;

[0197] 48, 48b: Switcher;

[0198] 48g: Ammonia gas flow regulating valve;

[0199] 48i: Liquid ammonia flow regulating valve;

[0200] 51: Ammonia gas compressor;

[0201] 52: Liquid ammonia pump;

[0202] 53: Heating medium pipeline;

[0203] 54: Heating medium valve;

[0204] 55: Heating medium recovery pipeline;

[0205] 60: Control device;

[0206] A: Air;

[0207] Acom: Compressed air;

[0208] NH3G: ammonia gas;

[0209] NH3L: Liquid ammonia;

[0210] An: Nozzle axis;

[0211] Ar: Rotor shaft axis;

[0212] Da: Axial direction;

[0213] Dab: rear side;

[0214] Daf: front side.

Claims

1. A fuel supply device, the fuel supply device comprising: The main ammonia pipeline is connected to an ammonia tank capable of storing liquid ammonia; A vaporizer, connected to the end of the main ammonia pipeline, enables the heating medium to exchange heat with the liquid ammonia from the main ammonia pipeline to heat the liquid ammonia and thus vaporize it. A gaseous ammonia pipeline, connected to the vaporizer, can guide gaseous ammonia, which is ammonia vaporized by the vaporizer, as fuel to the combustor of the gas turbine. A liquid ammonia pipeline is provided to guide liquid ammonia that has not been heat-exchanged with the heating medium in the vaporizer to the burner as fuel. A switcher is capable of switching ammonia supply states between multiple states, including a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is a state in which gaseous ammonia is directed from the gaseous ammonia line to the burner, and the second state is a state in which liquid ammonia is directed from the liquid ammonia line to the burner; and Control device, controls the switch, When the percentage of fuel flow in the main ammonia line at the rated output of the gas turbine is set to 100%, if the percentage of fuel flow in the main ammonia line is smaller than a predetermined α% relative to a value greater than 0% and less than 100%, the control device causes the switch to execute the second state.

2. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein, The switcher can switch the ammonia supply state between a third state, a first state, and a second state, wherein the third state is a state in which gaseous ammonia from the gaseous ammonia line and liquid ammonia from the liquid ammonia line are directed to the burner.

3. The fuel supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: A flow regulating valve regulates the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the burner.

4. The fuel supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Equipped with a main ammonia pump, located in the main ammonia pipeline, capable of pressurizing the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank. The end of the liquid ammonia pipeline is connected to the main ammonia pipeline at a position between the main ammonia pump and the vaporizer.

5. The fuel supply device according to claim 4, wherein, The switcher is a valve capable of switching the ammonia supply state between: a state in which liquid ammonia pressurized by the main ammonia pump is directed to the vaporizer to achieve the first state; and a state in which liquid ammonia pressurized by the main ammonia pump is not directed to the liquid ammonia line to achieve the second state.

6. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: A main ammonia pump, located in the main ammonia pipeline, is capable of pressurizing the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank; A liquid ammonia pump, installed in the liquid ammonia pipeline, capable of pressurizing the liquid ammonia flowing in the liquid ammonia pipeline; and A gaseous ammonia compressor is installed in the gaseous ammonia pipeline and is capable of pressurizing the gaseous ammonia flowing in the gaseous ammonia pipeline.

7. The fuel supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The gaseous ammonia pipeline also serves as the liquid ammonia pipeline. The switcher is a heating medium valve capable of switching the supply state of the heating medium between the following states: a state in which the heating medium is directed to the vaporizer to achieve the first state; and a state in which the heating medium is not directed to the vaporizer to achieve the second state.

8. The fuel supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The control device receives a request output from the gas turbine from the outside, determines one of a plurality of states including the first state and the second state based on the request output, and instructs the switcher to become the state.

9. A fuel combustion device, the fuel combustion device comprising: The fuel supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and The burner causes the fuel from the fuel supply device to burn in compressed air to produce combustion gases.

10. The fuel combustion device according to claim 9, wherein, The burner has: A combustion chamber former that forms a combustion chamber capable of supplying the fuel for combustion and directing the combustion gases generated by the combustion of the fuel to the turbine; and The burner body is capable of injecting the fuel and compressed air into the combustion chamber. The burner body has a fuel nozzle capable of injecting the fuel into the combustion chamber. The fuel nozzle has: a gaseous fuel flow path connected to the gaseous ammonia line, capable of injecting gaseous ammonia flowing from the gaseous ammonia line into the combustion chamber; and a liquid fuel flow path connected to the liquid ammonia line, capable of injecting liquid ammonia flowing from the liquid ammonia line into the combustion chamber.

11. A gas turbine equipment, said gas turbine equipment comprising: The fuel supply equipment and the gas turbine as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 The gas turbine has the following features: A compressor is used to compress air to produce compressed air. The burner causes the fuel from the fuel supply device to burn in the compressed air to produce combustion gases; and The turbine can be driven by the combustion gases.

12. The gas turbine equipment according to claim 11, wherein, The burner has: A combustion chamber former that forms a combustion chamber capable of supplying the fuel for combustion and directing the combustion gases generated by the combustion of the fuel to the turbine; and The burner body is capable of injecting the fuel and compressed air into the combustion chamber. The burner body has a fuel nozzle capable of injecting the fuel into the combustion chamber. The fuel nozzle has: a gaseous fuel flow path connected to the gaseous ammonia line, capable of injecting gaseous ammonia flowing from the gaseous ammonia line into the combustion chamber; and a liquid fuel flow path connected to the liquid ammonia line, capable of injecting liquid ammonia flowing from the liquid ammonia line into the combustion chamber.

13. The gas turbine equipment according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: A waste heat recovery boiler utilizes the heat of exhaust gas, which is the combustion gas discharged from the turbine, to generate steam; and The heating medium pipeline directs a portion of the steam generated in the waste heat recovery boiler or a portion of the water heated by the waste heat recovery boiler as the heating medium to the gasifier.

14. The gas turbine equipment according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The vaporizer heats the liquid ammonia by exchanging heat between the exhaust gas, which is the combustion gas discharged from the turbine and serves as the heating medium, and the liquid ammonia from the main ammonia pipeline, thereby vaporizing the liquid ammonia.

15. A fuel supply method, wherein, Perform the following procedures: The vaporization process involves exchanging heat between a heating medium and at least a portion of liquid ammonia supplied from an ammonia tank to heat the liquid ammonia, thereby vaporizing it. The switching process involves switching the ammonia supply state between multiple states, including a first state and a second state. The first state is a state in which gaseous ammonia, which is ammonia that has been vaporized in the gasification process, is directed as fuel to the burner of the gas turbine. The second state is a state in which liquid ammonia that has not exchanged heat with the heating medium in the gasification process is directed as fuel to the burner. as well as A switching control process is initiated by determining one of a plurality of states, including the first state and the second state, and executing that state during the switching process. In the switching control process, when the flow rate percentage of liquid ammonia supplied from the ammonia tank at the rated output of the gas turbine is set to 100%, the ammonia supply state is determined to be the second state when the flow rate percentage of liquid ammonia supplied from the ammonia tank is smaller than the predetermined α% relative to 0% and less than 100%.

16. The fuel supply method according to claim 15, wherein, In the switching process, the ammonia supply state is switched between the third state, the first state, and the second state. The third state is the state in which gaseous ammonia and liquid ammonia are directed to the burner.

17. The fuel supply method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, It also performs a flow regulation process to regulate the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the burner.

18. The fuel supply method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The ammonia pressurization process is performed to pressurize the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank. The vaporization process is performed via a vaporizer, which supplies the liquid ammonia, pressurized in the ammonia pressurization process, and also supplies the heating medium, allowing heat exchange between the liquid ammonia and the heating medium. In the switching process, the ammonia supply state is switched between the following states: a state in which liquid ammonia pressurized in the ammonia pressurization process is directed to the vaporizer to achieve the first state, and a state in which liquid ammonia pressurized in the ammonia pressurization process is not directed to the vaporizer to achieve the second state.

19. The fuel supply method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The vaporization process is performed via a vaporizer, which supplies the liquid ammonia, pressurized in the ammonia pressurization process, and also supplies the heating medium, allowing heat exchange between the liquid ammonia and the heating medium. In the switching process, the supply state of the heating medium is switched between the following states: a state in which the heating medium is directed to the vaporizer to achieve the first state; and a state in which the heating medium is not directed to the vaporizer to achieve the second state.

20. The fuel supply method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, It also performs the following: a switching control procedure, receiving a request output from the gas turbine from the outside, determining one of a plurality of states including the first state and the second state based on the request output, and executing the one state in the switching procedure.

21. The fuel supply method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, It also performs: a steam generation process, which uses the heat of the exhaust gas from the gas turbine to generate steam, and in the gasification process, a portion of the steam generated in the steam generation process or warm water generated during the execution of the steam generation process is used as the heating medium.

22. The fuel supply method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, In the gasification process, the exhaust gas discharged from the gas turbine is used as the heating medium.

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