fuel supply equipment

Abstract

To provide a fuel supply facility capable of stably generating specific energy in a combustion appliance.SOLUTION: A fuel supply facility according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a fuel supply flow passage for supplying fuel to a combustion appliance, a first fuel flow passage for supplying a first fuel to the fuel supply flow passage, a second fuel flow passage for supplying a second fuel to the fuel supply flow passage, and a fuel compressor for boosting the first fuel passing through the first fuel flow passage. On the basis of a fuel original pressure in an upstream side of the fuel compressor in the first fuel flow passage, the first fuel flow passage supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply flow passage and the second fuel flow passage stops the supply of the second fuel to the fuel supply flow passage when the fuel original pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit original pressure, and the first fuel flow passage supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply flow passage and the second fuel flow passage supplies the second fuel to the fuel supply flow passage when the fuel original pressure is lower than the lower limit original pressure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel supply facility for supplying fuel to combustion equipment.

Background Art

[0002] A fuel supply facility that supplies fuel to combustion equipment such as a combustor of a gas turbine for power generation includes a fuel compressor that pressurizes fuel to a predetermined pressure (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by Invention

[0004] In the above fuel supply facility, when the fuel pressure at the inlet of the fuel compressor drops significantly, the fuel compressor cannot pressurize the fuel to the predetermined pressure. In this case, sufficient fuel is not supplied to the combustion equipment, and there is a risk that the combustion equipment cannot generate specified energy. In addition, even if countermeasures such as detecting a decrease in gas turbine output caused by a decrease in energy generated by the combustion equipment and performing some control based thereon are taken, a temporary decrease in energy generated by the combustion equipment is unavoidable.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel supply facility that can stably generate specified energy in combustion equipment.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A fuel supply system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a fuel supply passage for supplying fuel to a combustion device, a first fuel passage for supplying first fuel to the fuel supply passage, a second fuel passage for supplying second fuel to the fuel supply passage, and a fuel compressor for pressurizing the first fuel passing through the first fuel passage. Based on the fuel source pressure upstream of the fuel compressor in the first fuel passage, when the fuel source pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit source pressure, the first fuel passage supplies first fuel to the fuel supply passage and the second fuel passage stops supplying second fuel to the fuel supply passage. When the fuel source pressure falls below the lower limit source pressure, the first fuel passage supplies first fuel to the fuel supply passage and the second fuel passage supplies second fuel to the fuel supply passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the fuel supply equipment described above, the combustion equipment can stably generate the specified amount of energy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the fuel supply equipment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control system for the fuel supply equipment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the heat generation maintenance program. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Overall Structure> The fuel supply equipment 100 according to this embodiment will be described below. First, the overall configuration of the fuel supply equipment 100 will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the fuel supply equipment 100. As shown in Figure 1, the fuel supply equipment 100 according to this embodiment includes a fuel supply passage 10, a first fuel passage 20, and a second fuel passage 30. These components will be described in order.

[0010] The fuel supply passage 10 is a passage that supplies fuel to the combustion equipment 101. The combustion equipment 101 is, for example, the combustor of a gas turbine for power generation. A fuel governor 11 is located near the combustion equipment 101 in the fuel supply passage 10. By adjusting the opening of this fuel governor 11, the flow rate of fuel supplied to the combustion equipment 101 can be controlled. Furthermore, a buffer tank 12 for temporarily storing fuel is located upstream of the fuel governor 11 in the fuel supply passage 10. In addition, an inline mixer 13 is located upstream of the buffer tank 12 in the fuel supply passage 10 for mixing the first fuel supplied from the first fuel passage 20 (described later) and the second fuel supplied from the second fuel passage 30 (described later).

[0011] The first fuel passage 20 is a passage that supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply passage 10. In this embodiment, the first fuel is hydrogen gas. However, the first fuel is not limited to hydrogen gas, and may be a fuel gas (gas) other than hydrogen gas, or a liquid fuel (liquid). The fuel supply equipment 100 according to this embodiment supplies the first fuel to the combustion equipment 101 as much as possible, and if the combustion equipment 101 cannot generate the specified energy by burning only the first fuel, it also supplies the second fuel to the combustion equipment 101. In other words, in this embodiment, the first fuel is the main fuel that is supplied preferentially, and the second fuel is the auxiliary fuel.

[0012] A fuel compressor 21 that pressurizes the first fuel is located in the first fuel passage 20. In this embodiment, the fuel compressor 21 is a positive displacement compressor, but the fuel compressor 21 may be a compressor other than a positive displacement compressor. This fuel compressor 21 is rotationally driven by a compressor motor 22. In addition, a bypass passage 23 is formed in the first fuel passage 20, connecting the portion downstream of the fuel compressor 21 and the portion upstream of the fuel compressor 21. Furthermore, a bypass valve 24 is located in this bypass passage 23.

[0013] The bypass valve 24 can adjust the flow rate of the first fuel returning from the portion downstream of the fuel compressor 21 to the portion upstream of the fuel compressor 21, i.e., the bypass flow rate. By adjusting the bypass flow rate with the bypass valve 24, the supply flow rate of the first fuel supplied from the first fuel passage 20 to the fuel supply passage 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "first fuel supply flow rate") can be adjusted. In this embodiment, when the first fuel supply flow rate is the standard supply flow rate, the combustion equipment 101 can generate the specified energy by combustion of the first fuel alone. In other words, in order to generate the specified energy by combustion of the first fuel alone, the first fuel supply flow rate must be the standard supply flow rate.

[0014] Furthermore, upstream of the fuel compressor 21 in the first fuel passage 20 is a compressor inlet pressure gauge 25 for measuring the pressure of the first fuel at the inlet of the fuel compressor 21 (hereinafter referred to as "compressor inlet pressure"). In addition, upstream of the compressor inlet pressure gauge 25 in the first fuel passage 20 is a pressure regulating valve 26 for adjusting the compressor inlet pressure. Note that if the compressor inlet pressure is low, the fuel compressor 21 may not be able to perform at its full capacity. In this embodiment, in order for the first fuel supply flow rate to be the aforementioned standard supply flow rate by the fuel compressor 21, it is necessary to adjust the compressor inlet pressure to be above the lower limit inlet pressure. In other words, if the compressor inlet pressure can be adjusted to be above the lower limit inlet pressure, the first fuel supply flow rate can be set to the standard supply flow rate.

[0015] Furthermore, a fuel pressure gauge 27 for measuring the fuel source pressure is located upstream of the pressure regulating valve 26 in the first fuel passage 20. "Fuel source pressure" refers to the pressure upstream of the fuel compressor 21 in the first fuel passage 20. In this embodiment, where the pressure regulating valve 26 is located in the first fuel passage 20, it refers to the pressure of the first fuel upstream of the pressure regulating valve 26. In this embodiment, when the fuel source pressure is equal to or greater than the lower limit source pressure, the pressure regulating valve 26 can adjust the compressor inlet pressure to equal or greater than the aforementioned lower limit inlet pressure. In other words, in order for the pressure regulating valve 26 to adjust the compressor inlet pressure to equal or greater than the lower limit inlet pressure, and consequently for the combustion of the first fuel alone to generate the specified energy, the fuel source pressure must be equal to or greater than the lower limit source pressure.

[0016] In this embodiment, the fuel supply equipment 100 includes a gas holder 28. The gas holder 28 stores the first fuel (hydrogen gas in this embodiment) and supplies the first fuel to the first fuel passage 20. When the gas holder 28 supplies the first fuel to the first fuel passage 20, the internal pressure of the gas holder 28 drops significantly, which may cause the fuel source pressure to fall below the lower limit source pressure, making it impossible to generate the specified amount of energy by burning only the first fuel. In cases where the first fuel is a liquid, the first fuel may be supplied to the first fuel passage 20 from equipment other than the gas holder 28.

[0017] The second fuel passage 30 is a passage that supplies the second fuel to the fuel supply passage 10. In this embodiment, the second fuel is natural gas. However, the second fuel is not limited to natural gas, and may be a fuel gas other than natural gas, or a liquid fuel. Also, the first fuel and the second fuel may be the same. A flow meter 31 is located in the second fuel passage 30 to measure the supply flow rate of the second fuel supplied by the second fuel passage 30 to the fuel supply passage 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "second fuel supply flow rate"). Furthermore, a flow control valve 32 is located upstream of the flow meter 31 in the second fuel passage 30 to adjust the second fuel supply flow rate.

[0018] <Control system configuration> Next, the configuration of the control system of the fuel supply equipment 100 will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control system of the fuel supply equipment 100. As shown in Figure 2, the fuel supply equipment 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with a control device 40. The control device 40 includes a processor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and an I / O interface. The non-volatile memory of the control device 40 stores a heat generation maintenance program, which will be described later, and various data, and the processor performs calculations using the volatile memory based on each program.

[0019] The control device 40 of the present embodiment is electrically connected to the compressor inlet pressure gauge 25, the source pressure gauge 27, and the flow meter 31, and can acquire the compressor inlet pressure, the fuel source pressure, and the second fuel supply flow rate based on measurement signals received from these measuring instruments. Further, the control device 40 is electrically connected to the fuel governor 11, the compressor motor 22, the bypass valve 24, the pressure regulating valve 26, and the flow rate regulating valve 32, and by transmitting control signals to these devices, can control the supply flow rate of fuel supplied to the combustion device 101, the rotation speed of the fuel compressor 21, the first fuel supply flow rate, the compressor inlet pressure, and the second fuel supply flow rate.

[0020] The functions of the elements disclosed in the present specification can be implemented using a circuit or processing circuit including a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a conventional circuit, and / or a combination thereof configured or programmed to perform the disclosed functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits, and thus is regarded as a processing circuit or a circuit. In the present disclosure, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that performs the recited functions, or hardware programmed to perform the recited functions. The hardware may be the hardware disclosed in the present specification, or may be other known hardware programmed or configured to perform the recited functions. Where the hardware is a processor, which is considered a type of circuit, the circuit, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software, and the software is used for configuring the hardware and / or the processor.

[0021] <Calorific Value Maintenance Program> Next, a heating value maintenance program executed by the control device 40 will be described. The heating value maintenance program is a program for maintaining the heating value of fuel passing through the fuel supply flow path 10 per unit time (hereinafter referred to as "fuel passage heating value") at a predetermined reference heating value. If the fuel passage heating value can be maintained at the reference heating value, prescribed energy can be generated by combustion of fuel in the combustion device 101.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the heating value maintenance program. As shown in FIG. 3, when the heating value maintenance program is started, the control device 40 acquires a fuel source pressure (step S1). As described above, the control device 40 can acquire the fuel source pressure based on the measurement signal received from the source pressure gauge 27. Note that the fuel source pressure greatly varies depending on the situation upstream of the source pressure gauge 27. For example, when the gas holder 28 supplies the first fuel to the first fuel flow path 20, the internal pressure of the gas holder 28 decreases, and the fuel source pressure decreases.

[0023] Subsequently, the control device 40 determines whether or not the fuel source pressure acquired in step S1 is equal to or higher than a lower-limit source pressure (step S2). When it is determined in step S2 that the fuel source pressure is equal to or higher than the lower-limit source pressure (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. Note that, as described above, if the fuel source pressure is equal to or higher than the lower-limit source pressure, the first fuel supply flow rate can be set to the reference supply flow rate by adjusting the opening degree of the bypass valve 24, and the prescribed energy can be generated in the combustion device 101 only by combustion of the first fuel.

[0024] Therefore, in step S3, the control device 40 supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply channel 10 at a standard supply flow rate and stops supplying the second fuel to the fuel supply channel 10. In other words, the first fuel supply flow rate is set to the standard supply flow rate, and the second fuel supply flow rate is set to zero. At this time, the calorific value of the first fuel supplied to the fuel supply channel 10 per unit time (hereinafter referred to as "first fuel supply calorific value") becomes the standard calorific value mentioned above. As described above, the control device 40 can supply the first fuel to the fuel supply channel 10 at a standard supply flow rate by adjusting the opening of the bypass valve 24. In addition, the control device 40 can stop supplying the second fuel to the fuel supply channel 10 by closing the flow rate control valve 32.

[0025] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the fuel source pressure is not equal to or less than the lower limit source pressure (i.e., it is below the lower limit source pressure) (NO in step S2), the process proceeds to step S4. In other words, if it is determined that the combustion equipment 101 cannot generate the specified energy by the combustion of the first fuel alone, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the second fuel supply flow rate is determined. The control device 40 of this embodiment stores map data representing the relationship between the fuel source pressure and the second fuel supply flow rate, and determines the second fuel supply flow rate based on this map data and the actual fuel source pressure (fuel source pressure obtained in step S1).

[0026] Here, the relationship between the fuel source pressure and the second fuel supply flow rate shown in the map data above is designed so that the sum of the aforementioned first fuel supply calorific value and the calorific value of the second fuel supplied to the fuel supply channel 10 per unit time (hereinafter referred to as "second fuel supply calorific value"), that is, the aforementioned fuel passage calorific value, becomes the reference calorific value. For example, when the fuel source pressure is a certain value, the calorific value per unit volume of the first fuel is known, so the first fuel supply flow rate and the first fuel supply calorific value at that time can be determined. From this, the second fuel supply calorific value such that the sum of the first fuel supply calorific value and the second fuel supply calorific value becomes the reference calorific value can also be determined. Furthermore, since the calorific value per unit volume of the second fuel is known, the second fuel supply flow rate can also be determined. Therefore, map data showing the relationship between the fuel source pressure and the second fuel supply flow rate can be created by conducting tests or simulations in advance.

[0027] After step S4, the control device 40 supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply passage 10 while simultaneously supplying the second fuel to the fuel supply passage 10 at the second fuel supply flow rate determined in step S4 (step S5). In this embodiment, the control device 40 supplies as much of the first fuel as possible to the fuel supply passage 10, and while obtaining the actual second fuel supply flow rate from the flow meter 31, adjusts the flow control valve 32 so that the actual second fuel supply flow rate becomes the second fuel supply flow rate determined in step S4.

[0028] As a result, the sum of the calorific value of the first fuel supply and the calorific value of the second fuel supply, i.e., the calorific value of the fuel passing through, becomes the reference calorific value. Thus, according to this embodiment, even if the combustion equipment 101 cannot generate the specified energy by the combustion of the first fuel alone, and even if the calorific values ​​per unit volume of the first fuel and the second fuel are different, the combustion equipment 101 can still generate the specified energy. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the combustion equipment 101 cannot generate the specified energy by the combustion of the first fuel alone, instead of completely switching the fuel from the first fuel to the second fuel, both the first fuel and the second fuel are supplied to the fuel supply passage 10. Therefore, the first fuel in the gas holder 28 can be effectively utilized.

[0029] After steps S3 and S5, the process returns to step S1 and the steps described above are repeated. It should be noted that repeating each step may result in a transition from a state where the fuel pressure was above the lower limit to a state where the fuel pressure falls below the lower limit. Even in this case, since control is performed based on the fuel pressure in this embodiment, the responsiveness is higher and fluctuations in the energy generated by the combustion equipment 101 can be suppressed compared to, for example, a case where control is performed based on the output of a gas turbine including the combustion equipment 101. In other words, the combustion equipment 101 can stably generate the specified energy.

[0030] In the above, the control device 40 controlled the first fuel supply flow rate and the second fuel supply flow rate, but these controls may be performed without the control device 40. For example, the first fuel supply flow rate and the second fuel supply flow rate may be controlled by directly transmitting a control signal from the main pressure gauge 27 to the pressure regulating valve 26 and the flow control valve 32, etc., and controlling the pressure regulating valve 26 and the flow control valve 32, etc., based on the control signal. Furthermore, the control of the fuel governor 11 may also be performed without the control device 40. For example, the fuel governor 11 may directly receive measurement signals such as rotational speed and generated electricity from equipment such as a gas turbine equipped with combustion equipment 101, and set the opening degree based on the directly received measurement signals.

[0031] Furthermore, although the first fuel supply flow rate was adjusted using the bypass valve 24 in the above description, the first fuel supply flow rate may be adjusted by another method. For example, if the fuel compressor 21 is a centrifugal compressor rather than a positive displacement compressor, a flow control valve may be provided downstream of the fuel compressor 21 in the first fuel passage 20, and the first fuel supply flow rate may be adjusted using this flow control valve.

[0032] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the fuel source pressure falls below the lower limit source pressure, the second fuel is supplied to the fuel supply channel 10 so that the sum of the first fuel supply calorific value and the second fuel supply calorific value equals the reference calorific value. However, the sum of the first fuel supply calorific value and the second fuel supply calorific value may deviate slightly from the reference calorific value. In other words, when the fuel source pressure falls below the lower limit source pressure, the second fuel may be supplied to the fuel supply channel 10 so that the sum of the first fuel supply calorific value and the second fuel supply calorific value falls within a predetermined target range that includes the reference calorific value. The above-mentioned "predetermined range" is, for example, about 1% of the reference calorific value.

[0033] <Summary> The fuel supply equipment according to the above embodiment includes a fuel supply passage for supplying fuel to a combustion device, a first fuel passage for supplying first fuel to the fuel supply passage, a second fuel passage for supplying second fuel to the fuel supply passage, and a fuel compressor for pressurizing the first fuel passing through the first fuel passage. Based on the fuel source pressure, which is the pressure of the first fuel upstream of the fuel compressor in the first fuel passage, when the fuel source pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit source pressure, the first fuel passage supplies first fuel to the fuel supply passage and the second fuel passage stops supplying second fuel to the fuel supply passage. When the fuel source pressure falls below the lower limit source pressure, the first fuel passage supplies first fuel to the fuel supply passage and the second fuel passage supplies second fuel to the fuel supply passage.

[0034] With this configuration, a second fuel is supplied to the fuel supply path as needed based on the fuel source pressure, allowing the combustion equipment to stably generate the specified energy.

[0035] Furthermore, in the fuel supply equipment according to the above embodiment, the first fuel is a gas, and the equipment further includes a gas holder that stores the first fuel and supplies the first fuel to the first fuel passage.

[0036] In the fuel supply equipment according to this embodiment, if the combustion equipment cannot generate the specified energy by burning only the first fuel, the fuel is not completely switched from the first fuel to the second fuel, but both the first fuel and the second fuel are supplied to the fuel supply path. Therefore, if the fuel supply equipment is equipped with a gas holder for storing the first fuel, the first fuel in the gas holder can be effectively utilized.

[0037] Furthermore, in the fuel supply equipment according to the above embodiment, when the fuel source pressure is equal to or greater than the lower limit source pressure, the first fuel passage supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply passage so that the amount of heat generated by the first fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage per unit time becomes a predetermined standard heat generated. When the fuel source pressure falls below the lower limit source pressure, the first fuel passage supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply passage and the second fuel passage supplies the second fuel to the fuel supply passage so that the sum of the amount of heat generated by the first fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage per unit time and the amount of heat generated by the second fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage per unit time falls within a predetermined target range including the standard heat generated.

[0038] With this configuration, even if the calorific value per unit volume of the first fuel and the second fuel are different, the combustion equipment can stably generate the specified amount of energy.

[0039] Furthermore, in the fuel supply equipment according to the above embodiment, when the fuel source pressure falls below the lower limit source pressure, the supply flow rate of the second fuel supplied by the second fuel passage to the fuel supply passage is determined based on map data representing the relationship between the fuel source pressure and the supply flow rate of the second fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage, and the actual fuel source pressure.

[0040] This configuration allows for the rapid determination of the supply flow rate of the second fuel, enabling the combustion equipment to stably generate the specified energy. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 10 Fuel supply channel 20. Fuel passage 1 21 Fuel compressor 28 Gas holder 30. Second fuel passage 100 Fuel supply equipment 101 Combustion equipment

Claims

1. A fuel supply path that supplies fuel to a combustion device, A first fuel channel that supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply channel, A second fuel passage that supplies a second fuel to the aforementioned fuel supply passage, The system comprises a fuel compressor that pressurizes the first fuel passing through the first fuel passage, Based on the fuel source pressure upstream of the fuel compressor in the first fuel passage, when the fuel source pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit source pressure, the first fuel passage supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply passage and the second fuel passage stops supplying the second fuel to the fuel supply passage so that the amount of heat generated by the first fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage per unit time becomes a predetermined standard heat generation amount. When the fuel source pressure falls below the lower limit source pressure, the first fuel passage supplies the first fuel to the fuel supply passage and the second fuel passage supplies the second fuel to the fuel supply passage so that the sum of the amount of heat generated by the first fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage per unit time and the amount of heat generated by the second fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage per unit time falls within a predetermined target range including the standard heat generation amount. A fuel supply system in which, when the fuel source pressure falls below the lower limit source pressure, the supply flow rate of the second fuel supplied by the second fuel passage to the fuel supply passage is determined based on map data representing the relationship between the fuel source pressure and the supply flow rate of the second fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage, and the actual fuel source pressure.

2. The first fuel is a gas, The fuel supply equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a gas holder for storing the first fuel and supplying the first fuel to the first fuel passage.

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