Airless sprint and water cleaning system

Abstract

To provide a sprint and water cleaning system for spraying a large amount of water to a compressor of a gas turbine.SOLUTION: A splint and water cleaning system 100 may include a plurality of spray nozzles 120 arranged around a compressor 15, a water manifold 110 communicating with the spray nozzles 120, a pump communicating with the water manifold 110, and a variable frequency drive communicating with the pump.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This application and the resulting patent relate generally to gas turbine engines, and more particularly to an airless splint and water wash system that uses a single pump and manifold, resulting in a simplified system that results in improved overall engine efficiency. [Background technology]

[0002] A gas turbine engine conventionally includes a compressor that compresses ambient air and multiple combustors that mix a flow of air with a flow of fuel to generate hot combustion gases. A turbine receives the flow of hot combustion gases and extracts energy therefrom to power the compressor and provide power to an external load, such as an electrical generator.

[0003] Compressors consume large amounts of air, so small amounts of dust, aerosols, and water pass through them, which can lead to deposits on the compressor blades and elsewhere. These deposits can impede the airflow through the compressor and reduce the overall performance and efficiency of the gas turbine engine over time. Gas turbine engines may therefore be periodically washed to clean contaminants from the compressor. Such washing operations include offline and online washing operations. Offline washing operations are performed while the gas turbine engine is shut down. Online water washing operations allow the washing to take place while the engine is running, but online washing may result in some degradation of the overall performance of the gas turbine engine.

[0004] In a somewhat similar manner, a gas turbine compressor may require less power to operate at a given pressure ratio if an intercooler is provided within the compressor. One method of providing an intercooler involves spraying droplets of coolant at the inlet of the compressor, i.e., spray intercooler or "SPRINT." When a gas and water mixture is compressed (commonly referred to as wet compression), the temperature of the gas increases, which is the driving force for evaporation. The evaporation of the water cools the gas, thus acting as an intercooler. In this instance, the coolant droplets may be sized to be small enough such that the inertia forces are dominated by the drag forces that tend to cause the droplets to flow past the compressor inlet and travel into the subsequent stages of the compressor where the droplets evaporate and provide the desired intercooling. However, sprint operation typically requires bleeding air from the rear stages of the compressor, which reduces the overall efficiency of the gas turbine engine. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application and resulting patent provide a sprint and water wash system for spraying a volume of water into a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The sprint and water wash system can include a plurality of spray nozzles disposed on the compressor, a water manifold in communication with the plurality of spray nozzles, a pump in communication with the water manifold, and a variable frequency drive in communication with the pump.

[0006] The present application and the resulting patent may further provide a method of operating a splint and water wash system to spray a volume of water into an inlet of a compressor. The method may include directing a pump to pump the volume of water at a first flow rate, spraying the volume of water into the inlet of the compressor at the first flow rate to generate droplets of a first size, directing the pump to pump the volume of water at a second flow rate, and spraying the volume of water into the inlet of the compressor at the second flow rate to generate droplets of a second size.

[0007] The present application and the resultant patent may further provide a sprint and water wash system for spraying a volume of water into a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The sprint and water wash system may include a number of spray nozzles disposed about the compressor, a water manifold in communication with the spray nozzles, a piston pump driven by a pump motor in communication with the water manifold, and a variable frequency drive in communication with the piston pump and the pump motor.

[0008] These and other features and improvements of the present application and the resulting patent will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the several drawing figures and the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram of a gas turbine engine including a compressor, combustor, turbine, external load, water manifold, and feedwater skid. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the water supply skid of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Referring now to the drawings, where like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas turbine engine 10 as may be described herein. The gas turbine engine 10 may include a compressor 15. The compressor 15 compresses an incoming airflow 20. The compressor 15 delivers the compressed airflow 20 to a number of combustor cans 25. The combustor cans 25 mix the compressed airflow 20 with a pressurized fuel flow 30 and ignite the mixture to generate a hot combustion gas flow 35. Although only a single combustor can 25 is shown, the gas turbine engine 10 may include any number of combustor cans 25 arranged, such as in a circumferential array. Alternatively, the combustor 25 may be an annular combustor. The flow of combustion gases 35 is in turn delivered to a turbine 40. The flow of combustion gases 35 drives the turbine 40 to generate mechanical work. The mechanical work generated in the turbine 40 drives the compressor 15 via a rotor shaft 45. The turbine 40 and rotor shaft 45 may also drive an external load 50, such as an electrical generator.

[0011] The gas turbine engine 10 may use natural gas, hydrogen gas, various types of synthetic gas, liquid fuels, and / or other types of fuels and mixtures thereof. The gas turbine engine 10 may be any of a number of different gas turbine engines offered by General Electric Company, Schenectady, New York (GE Bernova), including, but not limited to, 7 Series or 9 Series heavy duty gas turbine engines, LM6000 and LM9000 aeroderivative gas turbine engines, and the like. The gas turbine engine 10 may be part of a simple cycle power generation system, a combined cycle power generation system, or other types of power generation systems. The gas turbine engine 10 may have different configurations and may use other types of components. Other types of gas turbine engines may also be used herein. Multiple gas turbine engines, other types of turbines, and other types of power generation devices may also be used herein.

[0012] FIG. 1 also illustrates an example of a splint and water wash system 100 as described herein. The splint and water wash system 100 may include a water manifold 110. The water manifold 110 may have any convenient size, shape, and configuration. The splint and water wash system 100 may include a plurality of spray nozzles 120 disposed about an inlet 130 of the compressor 15. More than one spray nozzle 120 may be used. In this example, seventeen spray nozzles 120 may be used. The total number and size of the spray nozzles 120 may vary depending on the geometry of the compressor 15 and other types of performance parameters. The spray nozzles 120 may be in communication with the water manifold 110 via a plurality of nozzle conduits 140.

[0013] The water manifold 110 of the splint and water wash system 100 may be in communication with a water supply skid 150. The water supply skid 150 may be located remotely from the gas turbine engine 10 or may be located at any other distance. The water manifold 110 may be in communication with the water supply skid 150 via a manifold conduit 160. The manifold conduit 160 may have a manifold conduit valve 170 and a manifold conduit pressure sensor 180 thereon. The manifold conduit valve 170 and the manifold conduit pressure sensor 180 may be of conventional design. Other components and configurations may be used herein.

[0014] 2 shows details of the water supply skid 150. The water supply skid 150 may include a water supply 190. The water supply 190 may have any convenient size, shape, or configuration. The water supply 190 may hold a volume of water 200. The water volume 200 may preferably be a volume of demineralized water and the like. The water volume 200 may be supplied to the splint and water wash system 100 via a skid conduit 210 and an inlet skid valve 220. The inlet skid valve 220 may be an on / off valve, such as a ball valve.

[0015] The water 200 then passes through a low pressure filter 230. The low pressure filter 230 may be of conventional design. A low differential pressure filter pressure sensor 240 may be used. As the low pressure filter 230 traps contaminants, etc. in the volume of water 200, the pressure through the low pressure filter 230 increases. The low pressure filter pressure sensor 240 may indicate that the pressure has exceeded normal operating parameters. The low pressure filter pressure sensor 240 may be of conventional design. A temperature sensor 250 may be located downstream of the low pressure filter pressure sensor 240. The temperature sensor 250 may be of conventional design.

[0016] The water supply skid 150 further includes a pump 260 driven by a pump motor 270. The pump 260 may be a piston pump. The pump motor 270 may have a variable frequency drive 275 (frequency inverter) such that the pump 260 may operate at any desired speed. In this manner, the pump 260 may supply the water 200 at any desired pressure and flow rate. The operation of the pump 260 and the pump motor 270 is controlled by a controller 280, as described in more detail below. Other components and configurations may also be used herein.

[0017] A back pressure regulator 290 may be located downstream of the pump 260. The back pressure regulator 290 may be of conventional design. The back pressure regulator 290 may protect the pump 260 in minimum flow / pressure conditions. A pump pressure sensor 300 may be located downstream of the back pressure regulator 290. The pump pressure sensor 300 may be of conventional design. The pump pressure sensor 300 ensures that the pump 260 is operating within a safe pressure range. A flow meter 310 may be located downstream of the pump pressure sensor 300. The flow meter 310 may be of conventional design. The flow meter 310 may ensure that the pump 260 is operating within a safe flow range. A high pressure filter 320 may be located downstream of the flow meter 310. The high pressure filter 320 may be of conventional design. A high differential pressure filter pressure sensor 330 may be used in conjunction therewith. As the high pressure filter 320 traps contaminants or the like in the volume of water 200, the pressure across the high differential pressure filter 320 can increase. The high pressure filter pressure sensor 330 can indicate that the pressure has exceeded normal operating parameters. The high pressure filter pressure sensor 330 can be of conventional design. The water output valve 340 can be located downstream of the high pressure filter 320. The water output valve 340 can be an on / off valve, such as a solenoid valve. Other components and other configurations may be used herein.

[0018] The water supply skid 150 may also include a purge air source 350. The purge air source 350 may be any convenient source of pressurized air of any volume. The purge air source may merge with the skid conduit 210 at a tee downstream of the water output valve 340 via a purge air conduit 360 and a purge air valve 370. The purge air valve 370 may be of conventional design.

[0019] The skid conduit 210 may continue to a T-connected skid outlet conduit 380. The skid outlet conduit 380 may have a skid outlet conduit valve 390 thereon. The skid outlet conduit valve 390 may be of conventional design and may be an on-off valve such as a solenoid valve. The skid outlet conduit 390 joins the skid conduit 210 at the T-connection such that the volume of water 200 flows to the water manifold 110. Other components and configurations may also be used herein.

[0020] The water supply skid 150 may also include a water drainage system 400 for draining the water from the splint and water wash system 100 and preventing excessive amounts of water from being fed to the compressor 15. The water drainage system 400 includes a vacuum ejector venturi pump 410. Generally described, the vacuum ejector venturi pump 410 may be a mechanical device with no moving parts. The vacuum ejector venturi pump 410 mixes two fluid flows based on momentum transfer. The vacuum ejector venturi pump 410 may be in communication with the skid conduit 210 through an inlet venturi pump conduit 420 in a T-connection through an inlet venturi pump conduit valve 430. The inlet venturi pump conduit valve 430 may be of conventional design or may be an on / off valve such as a solenoid valve.

[0021] The vacuum ejector venturi pump 410 may also be in communication with a skid drain 440 via a drain conduit 450 and a drain valve 460. The skid drain 440 may have any convenient size, shape, or configuration. The drain valve 460 may be of conventional design and may be an on / off valve, such as a solenoid valve. Other components and configurations may also be used herein.

[0022] As described above, the operation of the splint and water irrigation system 100 may be governed by the controller 280. Generally, the controller 280 is a conventional microprocessor-based system. The controller 280 may include memory, input / output (I / O) interfaces, external I / O devices / resources, and external storage systems. Generally, the controller 280 executes computer program code that may be stored in the memory and / or storage systems. The controller 280 is only one example of various possible combinations of hardware and software that may be used herein.

[0023] In use, the controller 280 directs the pump 260 / pump motor 270 to operate in either the sprint mode or the water wash mode. As described above, the piston driven pump 260 is controlled by the variable frequency drive 275 to provide the flow rate required for the sprint mode in the high, medium, and low flow rate ranges. The variable frequency drive 275 also solves the requirement of the sprint primary frequency, which requires variable flow rate for short periods of time to maintain frequency stability. The spray nozzle 120 can be sized to provide the droplet size required for both modes, i.e., a large droplet size for the water wash and a small droplet size for the sprint. The respective droplet sizes for the sprint mode can be described in terms of Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD). The droplet size may vary and may be made larger as needed by reducing the pressure of the back pressure regulator 290 for the water wash mode. Similarly, the pump 260 can provide the required flow rate for both modes. For example, the flow rate may be less than about 8 gpm for the water wash, but may be about 9-22 gpm for the sprint. The flow rate may vary. These ranges also ensure that the pump 260 operates within safe pressure and flow ranges.

[0024] In either mode, the controller directs the pump 260 / pump motor 270 to pump at the required pressure and flow rate. Specifically, a volume of water 200 from a water supply 190 on the water supply skid 150 is routed through skid conduit 210 to manifold conduit 160 and then to the water manifold 110. The volume of water 200 then flows through nozzle conduit 140 to the spray nozzles 120 where the water is sprayed into the intake 130 of the compressor 15.

[0025] In particular, it is important that excess water is not injected into the compressor 15 when the sprint mode is completed. Thus, the controller 280 turns off the pump 260 / pump motor 270, closes the water output valve 340, and opens the purge air valve 370 of the purge air source 350. Similarly, the inlet venturi pump conduit valve 430 of the inlet venturi pump conduit 420 of the water ejection system 400 is opened. The flow of purge air thus creates a suction on the vacuum ejector venturi pump 410. This suction draws any water remaining in the manifold conduit 160 and water manifold 110 into the vacuum ejector venturi pump 410 and into the skid drain 440.

[0026] In this manner, the sprint and water wash system 100 utilizes a single water manifold 110 and a single set of spray nozzles 120 for both the sprint and water wash modes. Specifically, the variable frequency drive 275 allows the pump 260 / pump motor 270 to provide the droplet size and flow rate required for either mode. In this manner, the sprint and water wash system 100 provides a simplified system with overall cost savings by integrating the respective systems. Importantly, the sprint mode does not require the air bleed from the compressor 15 used in conventional systems. Eliminating the need for air bleed improves the overall efficiency of the gas turbine engine.

[0027] It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to specific embodiments of this application and the resulting patent. Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by those skilled in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0028] Further aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses. [Embodiment 1] A sprint and water wash system for spraying a volume of water into a compressor of a gas turbine engine, comprising: a plurality of spray nozzles positioned about the compressor; a water manifold in communication with the plurality of spray nozzles; a pump in communication with the water manifold; a variable frequency drive in communication with the pump. [Embodiment 2] The splint and water wash system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the plurality of spray nozzles comprises more than ten spray nozzles. [Embodiment 3] 11. The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a water supply skid in communication with the water manifold. [Embodiment 4] The splint and water wash system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water supply skid comprises a water supply with the volume of water therein. [Embodiment 5] The splint and water wash system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water supply skid comprises a filter thereon. [Embodiment 6] The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water supply skid comprises a pressure sensor thereon. [Embodiment 7] The splint and water wash system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water supply skid comprises a temperature sensor thereon. [Embodiment 8] The splint and water wash system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water supply skid comprises a flow meter thereon. [Embodiment 9] The splint and water wash system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pump is positioned on the water supply skid. [Embodiment 10] The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pump comprises a piston pump. [Embodiment 11] 5. The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a pump motor in communication with the pump and the variable frequency drive. [Embodiment 12] The splint and water washing system of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a water drain system. [Embodiment 13] The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water drain system comprises a vacuum ejector pump. [Embodiment 14] 2. The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water drain system comprises a purge air source in communication with the vacuum ejector pump. [Embodiment 15] A method of operating a sprint and water wash system to spray a volume of water into an inlet of a compressor, comprising: instructing a pump to pump the volume of water at a first flow rate; spraying the volume of water into the inlet of the compressor at the first flow rate to produce droplets of a first size; instructing the pump to pump the volume of water at a second flow rate; spraying the volume of water into the inlet of the compressor at the second flow rate to produce droplets of a second size. [Embodiment 16] A sprint and water wash system for spraying a volume of water into a compressor of a gas turbine engine, comprising: a plurality of spray nozzles positioned about the compressor; a water manifold in communication with the plurality of spray nozzles; a piston pump driven by a pump motor in communication with the water manifold; a variable frequency drive in communication with the piston pump and the pump motor; Includes splint and water wash systems. [Embodiment 17] 11. The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a water supply skid in communication with the water manifold. [Embodiment 18] The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water supply skid comprises a water supply with the volume of water therein, a filter, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a flow meter. [Embodiment 19] The splint and water washing system of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a water drain system. [Embodiment 20] 2. The splint and water irrigation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the water drain system comprises a vacuum ejector pump in communication with a purge air source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 10:Gas turbine engine 15:Compressor 20:Air flow / Air stream 25:Combustor / Combustor can 30:Fuel flow / Fuel stream 35:Combustion gas flow / Combustion gas stream 40:Turbine 45:Shaft 50:Generator / External load 100:Sprint and water wash system 110:Water manifold 120:Spray nozzle 130:Inlet 140:Nozzle conduit 150:Water feed skid 160:Manifold conduit 170:Manifold conduit valve 180:Manifold conduit pressure sensor 190:Water feed 200:Water 210:Skid conduit 220:Inlet water skid valve 230:Low pressure filter 240:Low pressure filter pressure sensor 250:Temperature sensor 260:Pump 270:Pump motor 275:Variable frequency drive 280:Controller 290:Back pressure regulator 300: pump pressure sensor 310: flow meter 320: high pressure filter 330: high pressure filter pressure sensor 340: water output valve 350: purge air source 360: purge air conduit 370: purge air valve 380: skid outlet conduit 390: skid outlet conduit valve 400: drain system 410: vacuum ejector venturi pump 420: inlet venturi pump conduit 430: inlet venturi pump conduit valve 440: skid drain 450: drain conduit 460: drain valve

Claims

1. A sprint and water wash system (100) for spraying a volume of water (200) into a compressor (15) of a gas turbine engine (10), comprising: a plurality of spray nozzles (120) disposed in the compressor (15); a water manifold (110) in communication with a plurality of spray nozzles (120); a pump (260) in communication with the water manifold (110); a variable frequency drive (275) in communication with the pump (260); A splint and water irrigation system (100).

2. The splint and water irrigation system (100) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spray nozzles (120) comprises ten or more spray nozzles (120).

3. The splint and water wash system (100) of claim 1, further comprising a water supply skid (150) in communication with the water manifold (110).

4. The splint and water wash system (100) of claim 3, wherein the water supply skid (150) includes a water supply (190) having a volume of water (200) therein.

5. The splint and water wash system (100) of claim 3, wherein the water supply skid (140) comprises a filter (230, 320).

6. The splint and water wash system (100) of claim 3, wherein the water supply skid (150) comprises a pressure sensor (240, 300, 330).

7. The splint and water wash system (100) of claim 3, wherein the water supply skid (150) comprises a temperature sensor (250).

8. The splint and water wash system (100) of claim 3, wherein the water supply skid (150) comprises a flow meter (310).

9. The splint and water wash system (100) of claim 3, wherein the pump (260) is disposed on the water supply skid (150).

10. The splint and water wash system (100) of claim 1, wherein the pump (260) comprises a piston pump (260).

11. The splint and water lavage system (100) of claim 1, further comprising a pump motor (270) in communication with the pump (260) and the variable frequency drive (275).

12. The splint and water washing system (100) of claim 1, further comprising a water drainage system (400).

13. The splint and water irrigation system (100) of claim 12, wherein the water ejection system (400) includes a vacuum ejector pump (410).

14. The splint and water lavage system (100) of claim 13, wherein the water ejection system (400) includes a purge air source (300) in communication with a vacuum ejector pump (410).

15. 1. A method of operating a sprint and water wash system (100) to spray a volume of water (200) into an intake (130) of a compressor (15), comprising the steps of: directing a pump (260) to pump a volume of water (200) at a first flow rate; spraying a volume of water (200) at a first flow rate into an inlet (130) of a compressor (15) to generate droplets of a first size; directing a pump (260) to pump the volume of water (200) at a second flow rate; spraying a volume of water (200) at a second flow rate into an inlet (130) of the compressor (15) to generate droplets of a second size; A method comprising:

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