Fluid static mixer

Abstract

The static mixer includes a hollow body defining first and second fluid inlet ports and a fluid outlet. A mixing structure is disposed between both the first and second fluid inlet ports and the fluid outlet. The mixing structure includes a restrictor structure within the hollow body having a cross-axis area smaller than the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body, a diverter having a diverging surface and disposed downstream of the restrictor structure, and a support coupled to the diverter and the hollow body to align the diverter with the centerline axis of the hollow body. The first fluid inlet port receives a first fluid, e.g., natural gas, along the centerline axis, and the second fluid inlet port receives a second fluid, e.g., hydrogen, along the centerline axis upstream of the restrictor structure.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to fluid mixers, and more particularly to static mixers for two or more fluids supplied to a combustor of a gas turbine engine. [Background technology]

[0002] A static mixer is a structure that mixes fluids, such as gases or liquids, together without moving parts. Current static mixers for fluids, such as fuel gases, are complex and expensive structures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-0450896 B1 Summary of the Invention

[0004] All aspects, examples, and features described below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a hollow body having defined therein a first fluid inlet port for admitting a first fluid along a centerline axis of the hollow body, a second fluid inlet port for admitting a second fluid along the centerline axis of the hollow body downstream of the first fluid inlet port, and a fluid outlet downstream of the first and second fluid inlet ports; and a first mixing structure disposed between both the first and second fluid inlet ports and the fluid outlet, the first mixing structure being a first restrictor structure within the hollow body having a first list and a first mixing structure including a first restrictor structure, the restrictor structure having a cross-axis area smaller than the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body, a first diverter having at least a frusto-conical shape and positioned downstream of the first restrictor structure, and a first support coupled to the first diverter and the hollow body to align the first diverter with the centerline axis of the hollow body, wherein a second fluid inlet port takes in a second fluid along the centerline axis upstream of the first restrictor structure.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, wherein the first diverter has an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end being smaller than the downstream end.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the upstream end of the first diverter occupies between 0.5% and 10% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body, and the downstream end of the first diverter occupies between 20% and 70% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, wherein the first diverter has a conical shape.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the first diverter includes a wall that extends at an angle within a range of 10° to 50° with the centerline axis of the hollow body.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the hollow body has a circular interior and an inner diameter, and the first diverter has a length that is 0.4 to 1.5 times the diameter of the hollow body.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, wherein the first restrictor structure occupies 30% to 70% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the first restrictor structure includes an annular ring extending inwardly from an interior surface of the hollow body.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the first restrictor structure includes a plate member having a plurality of openings therein, the plate member extending in the transverse axial direction within the hollow body.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, further comprising a second restrictor structure having a cross-axis area smaller than the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body, the second restrictor structure being disposed downstream of the first diverter.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the hollow body has a circular interior and an inner diameter, and the second restrictor structure is disposed downstream of the first diverter by a distance of 0.4 to 1.2 times the diameter of the hollow body.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the first support includes a plurality of structural members coupled to a wall of the first diverter and an interior surface of the hollow body.

[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the plurality of structural members extend through the first diverter and intersect at a centerline axis of the hollow body.

[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first fluid comprises natural gas, the second fluid comprises hydrogen, and the static mixer is upstream of a combustor of the gas turbine engine.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, further including a second mixing structure configured to be disposed downstream of the first mixing structure within the hollow body, the second mixing structure including: a second restrictor structure having a cross-axis area smaller than the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body; a second diverter having at least a frusto-conical shape disposed downstream of the second restrictor structure; and a second support that positions the at least frusto-conical shaped diverter aligned with the centerline axis of the hollow body.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a static mixer comprising: a hollow body defining therein a first fluid inlet port, a second fluid inlet port, and a fluid outlet downstream of the first and second fluid inlet ports, the hollow body having a centerline axis; and a mixing structure disposed between both the first and second fluid inlet ports and the fluid outlet, the mixing structure including: a restrictor structure within the hollow body, the restrictor structure having a cross-axis area that is smaller than a cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body; a diverter having a diverging surface and disposed downstream of the restrictor structure; and a support coupled to the diverter and the hollow body for aligning the diverter with the centerline axis of the hollow body; wherein the first fluid inlet port takes in a first fluid along the centerline axis and the second fluid inlet port takes in a second fluid along the centerline axis upstream of the restrictor structure.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, wherein the diverter has at least a frusto-conical shape having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end being smaller than the downstream end.

[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, wherein the diverter is conical.

[0023] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the restrictor structure includes an annular ring extending inwardly from an interior surface of the hollow body.

[0024] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the above aspects, wherein the support includes a plurality of structural members coupled to the wall of the diverter and the interior surface of the hollow body.

[0025] Two or more aspects described in this disclosure, including those described in this Summary section, may be combined to form implementations not specifically described herein.

[0026] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will become apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0027] These and other features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which depict various embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a static mixer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mixing structure of a static mixer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mixing structure of a static mixer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mixing structure of a static mixer according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a mixing structure of a static mixer according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a mixing structure of a static mixer according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a static mixer according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a series of static mixers according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]1 is a schematic diagram of a gas turbine system in which a static mixer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] It should be noted that the drawings of the present disclosure are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure and therefore should not be considered limiting of the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.

[0030] As an initial matter, in order to clearly explain the present disclosure, it becomes necessary to select specific terminology when referring to and describing relevant machine components within an exemplary static mixer application. In doing so, where possible, common industry terminology will be used and utilized in a manner consistent with its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise noted, such terminology should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of this application and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that in many cases, a particular component may be referred to using several different or overlapping terms. What may be described herein as being a single part may include and be referred to in other contexts as consisting of multiple components. Alternatively, what may be described herein as including multiple components may be referred to elsewhere as a single part.

[0031] Additionally, several descriptive terms may be used conventionally herein, and it will be helpful to define these terms at the start of this section. These terms and their definitions are as follows, unless otherwise specified: "Downstream" and "upstream," as used herein, are terms that indicate a direction relative to the flow of fluids, such as fluids being mixed by a static mixer. The term "downstream" corresponds to the direction of fluid flow, and the term "upstream" refers to the direction opposite to the flow.

[0032] It is often necessary to describe components at different radial locations relative to a central axis. The term "axial" refers to movement or location parallel to an axis, e.g., the centerline axis of a portion of a static mixer. The term "radial" refers to movement or location perpendicular to the axis. In such cases, if a first component is closer to the axis than a second component, the first component may be referred to herein as being "radially inside" or "inboard" of the second component. Conversely, if a first component is farther from the axis than the second component, the first component may be referred to herein as being "radially outside" or "outboard" of the second component. Finally, the term "circumferential" refers to movement or location around a centerline axis, e.g., the circumferential inner surface of a circular hollow body of a static mixer. As further described herein, such terms may be applied with respect to the centerline axis of the hollow body of the static mixer.

[0033] Additionally, as described below, certain descriptive terms may be used conventionally herein: the terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another, but do not denote the location or importance of the individual components.

[0034] The terminology used herein is merely for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event may or may not occur, or the subsequently described feature may or may not be present, and that the description includes instances in which the event occurs or the feature is present, as well as instances in which the event does not occur or the feature is absent.

[0035] When an element or layer is referred to as "on," "engaged with," "connected to," "coupled," or "attached to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged with, coupled, or attached to the other element or layer, and intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on," "directly engaged with," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "between" vs. "directly between," "adjacent to" vs. "directly adjacent to," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The verb forms of "couple" and "attach" may be used interchangeably herein.

[0036] As described above, the present disclosure provides a static mixer for several fluids. The static mixer includes a hollow body defining first and second fluid inlet ports and a fluid outlet therein. A mixing structure is disposed between both the first and second fluid inlet ports and the fluid outlet. The mixing structure includes a restrictor structure within the hollow body having a cross-axis area smaller than the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body, a diverter having a diverging surface and disposed downstream of the restrictor structure, and a support coupled to the diverter and the hollow body to align the diverter with the centerline axis of the hollow body. The first fluid inlet port takes in a first fluid, e.g., natural gas, along the centerline axis, and the second fluid inlet port takes in a second fluid, e.g., hydrogen, along the centerline axis upstream of the diverter. The static mixer provides a simple, compact, and low-cost mechanism for mixing two fluids. The static mixer may include two or more mixing structures, and multiple static mixers may be used in series to mix three or more fluids.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a static mixer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The static mixer 100 (hereinafter "mixer 100") does not include any moving parts. The mixer 100 may include a hollow body 110. The hollow body 110 may have any cross-sectional shape, but for purposes of illustration, is shown as a circular hollow body. In this exemplary case, the hollow body 110 has a circular inner surface 114 and an exemplary inner diameter D1. The uniform diameter and therefore uniform interaxial (or cross-sectional) area (e.g., A=πr for a circular shape) 2 ), hollow body 110 may have varying cross-axis regions along its length.

[0038] The hollow body 110 includes a first fluid inlet port 120 for admitting a first fluid 122 along the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110. The hollow body 110 also includes a second fluid inlet port 126 for admitting a second fluid 128 along the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110 downstream from the first fluid inlet port 120. In the illustrated example, the first fluid inlet port 120 comprises an open end of the hollow body 110, although alternative options are possible. In the illustrated example, the second fluid inlet port 126 includes a conduit 130 attached through an opening 132 in the side of the hollow body 110 and having a right angle 134 to direct the second fluid 128 along the centerline axis A downstream of the first fluid inlet port 120. It will be appreciated that the first and second fluid inlet ports 120, 126 can take a variety of alternative forms. For example, the second fluid inlet port 126 may include piping that enters the hollow body 110 at any of a variety of angles, e.g., 30°, 45°, etc., so long as the opening 132 directs the second fluid 128 along the centerline axis A. Thus, the vertical orientation of the opening 132 relative to the hollow body 110 is merely exemplary.

[0039] Fluids 122, 128 can take any form. For illustrative purposes, fluids 122, 128 may include gaseous fuels mixed to form a mixed fluid mixture 142 of gaseous fluids. In certain embodiments, first fluid 122 may include natural gas (i.e., mostly methane (CH4), but also other hydrocarbons), and second fluid 128 may include hydrogen (H2). Thus, fluid mixture 142 includes natural gas and hydrogen. Static mixer 100 can mix any industrial gas, such as natural gas, with various compositions of its components, such as syngas, liquid propane gas (LPG), hydrogen, hot air, and cold air. Static mixer 100 can also be applied to mix miscible liquids, such as, but not limited to, ethylene glycol and water, or alcohol, with water. Other fluids, including other gases or liquids, may also be mixed using static mixer 100.

[0040] Although the second fluid inlet port 126 (e.g., for taking in hydrogen) is shown as having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first fluid inlet port 120 (e.g., for taking in natural gas), they may be any size depending, for example, on the fluids to be conveyed therein, the desired volume of each fluid in the fluid mixture 142, and / or the properties of the fluids therein, including, but not limited to, density, temperature, composition, flow rate, and / or inlet pressure.

[0041] The hollow body 110 also includes a fluid outlet 140 downstream of the first and second fluid inlet ports 120, 126 through which a fluid mixture 142 of the first and second fluids 122, 128 passes after being mixed. The fluid outlet 140 can be coupled to any of a variety of piping structures to deliver the fluid mixture 142 to a desired application.

[0042] The mixer 100 also includes a mixing structure 150 disposed between both the first and second fluid inlet ports 120, 126 and the fluid outlet 140. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view (looking upstream) of the mixing structure 150, and FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view thereof, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As described below, the mixing structure 150 mixes the first and second fluids 122, 128 to form a fluid mixture 142. The mixing structure 150 may include a restrictor structure 154 within the hollow body 110. The restrictor structure 154 has a cross-axial area that is smaller than the cross-axial area of ​​the hollow body 110, i.e., the restrictor structure 154 is located within the hollow body 110. Thus, the restrictor structure 154 pushes the first fluid 122 and the second fluid 128 radially inward toward the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110 when the fluids encounter the structure. The restrictor structure 154 can take a variety of forms. For example, in one embodiment shown in Figure 2, the restrictor structure 154 comprises an annular ring 156 that extends inwardly from the inner surface 114 of the hollow body 110. The annular ring 156 may be planar and have an opening 158 therein that has a smaller cross-axial area than the hollow body 110 in which the restrictor structure 154 is located.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view (viewed from upstream) of a mixing structure 150 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the restrictor structure 154 includes a plate member 157 having a plurality of openings 159 therein. While the openings 159 are shown as circular, they can have any shape, such as, for example, oval, polygonal, etc. The plate member 157 extends in a cross-axial direction within the hollow body 110. Regardless of the configuration, in one embodiment, the restrictor structure 154 may occupy between about 30% and about 70% of the cross-axial area of ​​the hollow body 110. That is, excluding the collective area of ​​the openings 159, the annular ring 154 or plate member 157 occupies between about 30% and about 70% of the cross-axial area of ​​the hollow body 110. In another embodiment, the restrictor structure 154 may occupy about 40% of the cross-axial area of ​​the hollow body 110. As used herein, "occupy" as applied to a cross-axis region refers to the blockage of flow through that cross-axis region by that percentage of the total cross-axis region of the hollow body 110 at the location of the particular structure being referenced.

[0044] The restrictor structure 154 may be located anywhere upstream of the diverter 160 of the mixing structure 150. In FIG. 1 , the restrictor structure 154 may contact the upstream end 162 of the diverter 160 and may be supported by and / or help support the diverter 160 without additional support therefor. In contrast, in FIG. 3 , the restrictor structure 154 is spaced from the upstream end 162 of the diverter 160 by, for example, a distance L1. The distance L1 from the diverter 160 and the cross-axis area occupied by the restrictor structure 154 may be customized to provide any desired mixing characteristics depending on the physical properties of the fluids 122, 128, including, but not limited to, the volume of each fluid in the fluid mixture 142, and / or the properties of the fluids therein, including, but not limited to, density, temperature, composition, flow rate, and / or pressure.

[0045] The mixing structure 150 also includes a diverter 160. The diverter 160 is disposed downstream of the restrictor structure 154. The second fluid inlet port 126 introduces the second fluid 128 along the centerline axis A upstream of the diverter 160 (and the restrictor structure 154). The diverter 160 has an upstream end 162 and a downstream end 164. The upstream end 162 is smaller in size (e.g., as measured by cross-axial area) than the downstream end 164, such that the diverter 160 has a diverging surface 166. The diverging surface 166 can have a variety of shapes. In certain embodiments, the diverter 160 (i.e., the diverging surface 166) has at least a frusto-conical shape. As used herein, "at least frusto-conical" means that the diverter 160 has its upstream end 162 that cuts across another conical shape to form a truncated cone, but that shape can also extend to become completely conical. Figures 1-3 show a diverter 160 having a diverging surface 166 that has a frusto-conical shape. In contrast, Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a mixing structure 150 having a diverter 160 that has a complete conical shape, i.e., the upstream end 162 includes a pointed end. The diverging surface 166 can also have other shapes, such as a pyramid, an octagonal pyramid, etc.

[0046] Regardless of the shape, in certain embodiments, the upstream end 162 of the diverter 160 may occupy 0.5% to 10% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body 110 in which it is located, and the downstream end 164 of the diverter 160 may occupy about 20% to about 70% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body 110 in which it is located. In other embodiments, the upstream end 162 of the diverter 160 may occupy about 1% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body 110 in which it is located, and the downstream end 164 of the diverter 160 may occupy 50% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body 110. In either case, the diverter 160 directs the fluids 122, 128 radially outward toward the inner surface 114, away from the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110, forcing the fluids 122, 128 to mix together to form the mixture 142.

[0047] In other embodiments, the diverter 160 includes a wall, i.e., a diverging surface 166, that extends at an angle α with the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110. In certain embodiments, the angle α can be in the range of 10° to 50°. In other embodiments, the angle α can be approximately 30°. The diverter 160 can also have a length L2 configured to provide the desired mixing of the fluids 122, 128. In certain embodiments, the diverter 160 can have a length L2 that is 0.4 to 1.5 times the diameter D1 of the hollow body 110, i.e., the length L2 at the position where the diverter 160 is disposed within the hollow body 110. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a mixing structure 150 having a diverter 160 with a different length L2 compared to those shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Any length L2 is possible to generate the desired mixing.

[0048] Any of the characteristics of the diverter 160 (e.g., the intersecting axis area occupied by either end 162, 164, the shape of the diverging surface 166, the angle α, and / or the length L2, etc.) may be customized to provide any desired mixing characteristics depending on the physical properties of the fluids 122, 128, including, but not limited to, the volume, density, temperature, flow rate, and / or inlet pressure of each fluid.

[0049] The mixing structure 150 also includes supports 170 coupled to the diverter 160 and the hollow body 110, for example, to align the first diverter 160 with the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110. The supports 170 also provide strength and rigidity to the diverter 160. The supports 170 include a plurality of structural members 172 coupled to the wall of the diverter 160 (i.e., at or through the diverging surface 166) and to the inner surface 114 of the hollow body 110. In the illustrated example, the structural members 172 may include plate members, although other structural members, such as struts or other elongated, thinner members, can be used. In the illustrated example, four structural members 172 are used, but any number, i.e., two, three, or more than four, may be used. For example, in the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of structural members 172 extend through the diverter 160 and intersect at the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110. In this case, the diverter 160 may be formed from several segments joined to structural members 172, with all of the parts secured together. In another embodiment, such as that shown in Figure 4, where the diverter 160 has self-sufficient strength and rigidity so as not to require internal support, the structural members 172 may extend to the diverging surface 166 of the diverter 160, but do not extend into the interior of the diverter 160.

[0050] 6 also illustrates another alternative embodiment in which the mixer 100 includes another restrictor structure 180 having a cross-axis area that is smaller than the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body 110 in which it is located. The restrictor structure 180 is positioned downstream of the diverter 160. The restrictor structure 180 can have any of the physical configurations previously described with respect to the restrictor structure 154. The restrictor structure 180 can be identical to the restrictor structure 154, but will likely have a different configuration, for example, occupying a different cross-axis area to provide a different mixing of the fluids 122, 128 downstream of the diverter 160. Any physical characteristics can be customized to generate the desired mixing.

[0051] The restrictor structure 180 may be positioned downstream of the diverter 160 at any desired distance L3. In certain embodiments, the restrictor structure 180 may be positioned downstream of the diverter 160 at a distance L3 that is 0.4 to 1.2 times the diameter D2 of the hollow body 110 in which it is located. The distance L3 from the diverter 160, i.e., downstream end 164, and the cross-axis area occupied by the restrictor structure 180 may be customized to provide any desired mixing characteristics depending on the physical properties of the fluids 122, 128, including, but not limited to, density, temperature, flow rate, and / or inlet pressure.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1 , in operation, the first fluid inlet port 120 takes in a first fluid 122 and directs it along the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110 toward the mixing structure 150, and the second fluid inlet port 126 takes in a second fluid 128 and directs it along the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110 toward the mixing structure 150 downstream of the first fluid inlet port 120. The fluids 122, 128 are directed radially inward from the inner surface 114 to meet the restrictor structure 154 and flow toward the upstream end 162 of the diverter 160, initiating mixing of the fluids. The fluids 122, 128 are then directed radially outward by the diverter 160 toward the inner surface 114 of the hollow body to continue mixing. Continued mixing occurs as the fluids 122, 128 pass through the downstream end 164 of the diverter 160 and enter the entire cross-axis region of the hollow body 110. Further mixing occurs immediately downstream of the diverter 160 due to disturbances induced by the mixing structure 150, and if provided, the second restrictor structure 180 can direct the fluid radially inward from the inner surface 114 so that the fluid meets the restrictor structure 180. The fluid mixture 142 then exits the mixer 100 via the fluid outlet 140.

[0053] 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a static mixer 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The static mixer 200 includes the same structure as the previously described static mixer 100, but also includes a separate second mixing structure 250 configured to be disposed downstream of the first mixing structure 150 within the hollow body 110. That is, the two mixing structures 150, 250 are within the same hollow body 110 and are axially separated from one another. The second mixing structure 250 may generally include the same subcomponents as the mixing structure 150. For example, the second mixing structure 250 may include a second restrictor structure 254 having a cross-axial area smaller than the cross-axial area of ​​the hollow body 110 in which it is located. The second mixing structure 250 may also include a second diverter 260 having at least a frustoconical shape disposed downstream of the second restrictor structure 254. The second mixing structure 250 may also include a second support 270 that positions at least the frusto-conical diverter 260 in alignment with the centerline axis A of the hollow body 110. The second mixing structure 250 may also include a second restrictor structure (not shown) downstream of the diverter 260. The second mixing structure 250 may have the same physical characteristics as the mixing structure 150, but is likely not identical to provide different mixing characteristics for the fluids 122, 128 compared to the mixing structure 150.

[0054] 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a static mixer 300 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The static mixer 300 includes two or more static mixers 100, 200 described herein arranged in series to allow mixing of three or more fluids 122, 128, and 328. While FIG. 8 shows the mixer 300 including several mixers 100 (e.g., as in FIG. 1), one skilled in the art will readily recognize that several mixers 200 can also be used in a series manner (e.g., as in FIG. 7). Any number of mixers 100, 200 can be used in series to mix any number of fluids. In the example of FIG. 8 , the (first) fluid mixture 142 exiting the upstream mixer 100U, 200U (left side) enters the downstream mixer 100D, 200D (right side) as its first fluid 322, and a third fluid 328 is introduced by a third fluid inlet port 326 along the upstream centerline axis A of the mixing structure 350 of the downstream mixer 100D, 200D. The third fluid 328 mixes with the (first) fluid mixture 322, including the first fluid 122 and the second fluid 128, to form a new fluid mixture 342. In this manner, any number of fluids can be sequentially mixed to form a fluid mixture in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. While shown as two coupled hollow bodies 110 in FIG. 8 , a single hollow body 110 including two or more fluid inlet ports 126, 326 may alternatively be used. The mixers arranged in series can be identical, or one or more mixers can be physically customized as described herein to provide the desired mixing characteristics of the fluid mixture of the previous mixer and the particular new fluid being added to the fluid mixture of the previous mixer.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary application of the mixer 100, 200, 300 in the form of a gas turbine (GT) system 400. The GT system 400 includes a compressor 402 and a combustor 404. The combustor 404 includes a combustion section 406 and a fuel nozzle assembly 408. The GT system 400 also includes a turbine 410 and a common compressor / turbine shaft 412 (sometimes referred to as a rotor 412). In one embodiment, the GT system 400 is a 7HA.03 engine commercially available from General Electric Company of Greenville, South Carolina. This disclosure is not limited to any particular GT system and may be provided with respect to other engines, including, for example, other General Electric HA, F, B, LM, GT, TM, and E-class engine models, as well as engine models from other manufacturers. This disclosure is not limited to any particular turbine or turbine machine and may be applicable, for example, to steam turbines, jet engines, compressors, turbofans, etc.

[0056] During operation, air flows through the compressor 402, and compressed air is supplied to the combustor 404. Specifically, the compressed air is supplied to a fuel nozzle assembly 408 integrated with the combustor 404. The assembly 408 is in flow communication with the combustion region 406. The fuel nozzle assembly 408 is also in flow communication with a fuel source 414, directing fuel and air to the combustion region 406. The fuel source 414 may include an upstream fuel gas regulator 416 for each of the fluids 126, 128 and a combined fuel gas regulator 418 downstream of the mixers 100, 200, 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The regulators 416, 418 may include any now known or later developed fluid preparation equipment appropriate for the fuel. The fuel source 414 may also include any now known or later developed control valve system 420. The combustor 404 ignites and burns the fuel (i.e., fluid mixture 142, 342) routed by the control valve system 420. The combustor 404 is in flow communication with a turbine assembly 410 in which gas flow thermal energy is converted to mechanical rotational energy. The turbine assembly 410 includes a turbine that is rotatably coupled to and drives a rotor 412. The compressor 402 is also rotatably coupled to the rotor 412. In the exemplary embodiment, there are multiple combustors 404 and fuel nozzle assemblies 408.

[0057] In a non-limiting example of a GT system 400 using hydrogen and natural gas, the natural gas may have a flow rate in the range of approximately 8-23 kilograms per second (kg / s) (18-50 pounds per second (lb / s)), a temperature in the range of approximately 10-315°C (50-600°F), and a pressure of approximately 2-4.1 megapascals (MPa) (300-600 pounds per square inch (psi)), while the hydrogen may have a flow rate in the range of approximately 0.05-2.0 kg / s (0.12-4.5 lb / s), a temperature in the range of approximately 10-93°C (50-200°F), and a pressure of approximately 0.2 MPa (30 psi) above the pressure of natural gas, i.e., approximately 2.2-4.3 MPa (330-630 psi). Different GT systems may use fuel fluids with different conditions.

[0058] The mixers 100, 200, 300, including the hollow body 110 and mixing structures 150, 250, 350, may be made from any material capable of withstanding the environmental conditions of the fluids passing through them. In certain embodiments, the hollow body 110 may be made from a metal or metal alloy, such as steel or aluminum. In certain embodiments, the hollow body 110 may be made from stainless steel ASTM, A276, or TP316 / 316L. Components of the mixers 100, 200, 300 may be formed separately and then joined together, for example, using welding or other fastening processes, or the mixers 100, 200, 300 may be formed as a single piece, for example, using additive manufacturing. The hollow body 110 may include any of a variety of mounts 112 capable of coupling to other fluid delivery elements, for example, fluid delivery piping.

[0059] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide various technical and commercial advantages, examples of which are described herein. For example, a static mixer provides a simple, compact, and low-cost mechanism for mixing two fluids. A static mixer may include two or more mixing structures and may be used in series to mix three or more fluids. A static mixer can be applied to any industrial gas, such as natural gas with various compositions of its components, syngas, liquid propane gas (LPG), hydrogen, hot air, and cold air. A static mixer can also be applied to mix liquids, such as ethylene glycol and water, alcohol with water, etc.

[0060] As used herein throughout the present specification and claims, approximation may be used to modify any quantitative expression that can vary within acceptable limits without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it pertains. Thus, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as "about," "approximately," and "substantially" are not limited to the exact value specified. In at least some instances, approximation may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Here, and throughout the present specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or substituted, and unless the context or language dictates otherwise, such ranges are identified and include all subranges encompassed therein. "Approximately" or "about," as applied to a particular value in a range, applies to both endpoints and may indicate + / - 5% of the stated value, unless specifically dependent on the precision of the instrument used to measure the value.

[0061] The corresponding structure, material, operations, and equivalents of all means-plus-function or step-plus-function elements in the following claims encompass any structure, material, or operation for performing the function in combination with other specifically claimed claim elements. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the disclosed form. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The present embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles and practical applications of the disclosure and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the disclosure so that various modifications may be suitable for particular uses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 100 static mixer 100D downstream mixer 100U upstream mixer 110 Hollow body 112 Mount 114 Inside 120 first fluid inlet port 122 First Fluid 126 second fluid inlet port 128 Second Fluid 130 Conduit 132 Opening 134 Right angle 140 Fluid outlet 142 Fluid mixture 150 mixed structure 154 Restrictor structure 156 Annular Ring 157 Plate member 158 Opening 159 Opening 160 Diverter 162 Upstream end 164 Downstream end 166 Divergent Surface 170 Support 172 Structural members 180 Restrictor structure 200 static mixer 200D downstream mixer 200U upstream mixer 250 Second Mixed Structure 254 Second Restrictor Structure 260 Second Diverter 270 Second Support 300 static mixer 322 Fluid mixture 326 third fluid inlet port 328 The Third Fluid 342 Fluid mixture 350 mixed structure 400 Gas Turbine (GT) System 402 Compressor 404 Combustor 406 Combustion Area 408 Fuel Nozzle Assembly 410 Turbine 412 Compressor / Turbine Shaft (Rotor) 414 Fuel Source 416 Fuel Gas Regulator 418 Combined Fuel Gas Regulator 420 Control Valve System A Centerline axis D1: Diameter D2 diameter L1 distance L2 length L3 distance α angle

Claims

1. a first fluid inlet port (120) for taking in a first fluid (122) along the centerline axis (A) of the hollow body (110); a second fluid inlet port (126) downstream of the first fluid inlet port (120) and along the centerline axis (A) of the hollow body (110) for admitting a second fluid (128); a fluid outlet (140) downstream of said first and second fluid inlet ports (120, 126); said hollow body (110) having defined therein: a first mixing structure (150) disposed between both the first and second fluid inlet ports (120, 126) and the fluid outlet (140), the first mixing structure (150) comprising: a first restrictor structure (154) within the hollow body (110), the first restrictor structure (154) having a cross-axis area that is smaller than a cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body (110); a first diverter (160) having at least a frusto-conical shape and positioned downstream of the first restrictor structure (154); a first support (170) coupled to the first diverter (160) and the hollow body (110) for aligning the first diverter (160) with the centerline axis (A) of the hollow body (110); a first mixing structure (150) comprising: Equipped with the second fluid inlet port (126) intakes the second fluid (128) along the centerline axis (A) upstream of the first restrictor structure (154); Static mixer (100).

2. The static mixer (100) of claim 1, wherein the first diverter (160) has an upstream end (162) and a downstream end (164), the upstream end (162) being smaller than the downstream end (164).

3. 3. The static mixer of claim 2, wherein the upstream end of the first diverter occupies between 0.5% and 10% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body, and the downstream end of the first diverter occupies between 20% and 70% of the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body.

4. The static mixer (100) of claim 1, wherein the first diverter (160) has a conical shape.

5. 2. The static mixer of claim 1, wherein the first diverter (160) comprises a wall extending at an angle in the range of 10° to 50° with the centerline axis (A) of the hollow body (110).

6. 2. The static mixer of claim 1, wherein the hollow body has a circular interior and an inner diameter, and the first diverter has a length that is 0.4 to 1.5 times the diameter of the hollow body.

7. The static mixer (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the first restrictor structure (154) occupies between 30% and 70% of the cross-axial area of ​​the hollow body (110).

8. The static mixer (100) of claim 1, wherein the first restrictor structure (154) comprises an annular ring (156) extending inwardly from the inner surface (114) of the hollow body (110).

9. 2. The static mixer of claim 1, wherein the first restrictor structure includes a plate member having a plurality of openings therein, the plate member extending transversely axially within the hollow body.

10. 2. The static mixer of claim 1, further comprising a second restrictor structure having a cross-axis area smaller than the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body, the second restrictor structure being positioned downstream of the first diverter.

11. 11. The static mixer of claim 10, wherein the hollow body has a circular interior and an inner diameter, and the second restrictor structure is disposed downstream of the first diverter a distance of 0.4 to 1.2 times the diameter of the hollow body.

12. 2. The static mixer of claim 1, wherein the first support comprises a plurality of structural members coupled to a wall of the first diverter and an inner surface of the hollow body.

13. 13. The static mixer (100) of claim 12, wherein the plurality of structural members (172) extend through the first diverter (160) and intersect at the centerline axis (A) of the hollow body (110).

14. 10. The static mixer of claim 1, wherein the first fluid comprises natural gas and the second fluid comprises hydrogen, and the static mixer is upstream of a combustor of a gas turbine engine.

15. The method further comprises a second mixing structure (250) configured to be disposed downstream of the first mixing structure (150) within the hollow body (110), the second mixing structure (250) comprising: a second restrictor structure (254) having a cross-axis area smaller than the cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body (110); a second diverter (260) having at least a frustoconical shape disposed downstream of the second restrictor structure (254); a second support (270) for positioning the at least frustoconical diverter (260) aligned with the centerline axis (A) of the hollow body (110); The static mixer (100) of claim 1, comprising:

16. a hollow body (110) defining therein a first fluid inlet port (120), a second fluid inlet port (126), and a fluid outlet (140) downstream of said first and second fluid inlet ports (120, 126), said hollow body (110) having a centerline axis; a mixing structure (150) disposed between both the first and second fluid inlet ports (120, 126) and the fluid outlet (140), the mixing structure (150) comprising: a restrictor structure (154) within the hollow body (110), the restrictor structure (154) having a cross-axis area that is smaller than a cross-axis area of ​​the hollow body (110); a diverter (160) having a diverging surface (166) and positioned downstream of the restrictor structure (154); a support (170) coupled to the diverter (160) and the hollow body (110) for aligning the diverter (160) with the centerline axis (A) of the hollow body (110); a mixed structure (150) comprising: Equipped with the first fluid inlet port (120) admits a first fluid (122) along the centerline axis (A), and the second fluid inlet port (126) admits a second fluid (128) along the centerline axis (A) upstream of the restrictor structure (154); Static mixer (100).

17. 17. The static mixer of claim 16, wherein the diverter has at least a frusto-conical shape having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end being smaller than the downstream end.

18. The static mixer (100) of claim 16, wherein the diverter (160) has a conical shape.

19. The static mixer (100) of claim 16, wherein the restrictor structure (154) comprises an annular ring (156) extending inwardly from the inner surface (114) of the hollow body (110).

20. 17. The static mixer (100) of claim 16, wherein the support (170) comprises a plurality of structural members (172) coupled to a wall of the diverter (160) and an inner surface (114) of the hollow body (110).

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