Enclosure ventilation system with inert gas

Abstract

A ventilation system for an engine enclosure configured to use an inert gas as ventilation gas. The ventilation system comprises an inert gas inlet of the engine enclosure and inert gas outlet of the engine enclosure. The ventilation system further comprises an inert gas recirculation line.

Description

Enclosure ventilation system with inert gasDescriptionTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure concerns an enclosure ventilation system with inert gas. Embodiments disclosed herein specifically concern but is not limited to a ventilation system for an engine enclosure configured to use an inert gas as ventilation fluid.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Engines, such as gas turbines, are commonly provided with an enclosure, which is barely larger than the engine itself, with the aim of protecting the surroundings from the heat and noise level emitted from the engine. However, this insulation keeps the temperature in the enclosure high, which may lead to overheating and malfunctioning of the engine and finally to a cost intensive shut down. In order to guarantee a sufficient cooling of the engine and to prevent the formation of dangerous gas mixtures, a ventilation system of the gas turbine enclosure is commonly used. The ventilation system, in fact, also provides the capability to dilute any leak of fuel into the enclosure, which can produce potentially explosive gas mixtures, by continually purging potential gas build up areas and transferring potentially explosive gas mixtures out of the enclosure. The presence of explosive gases, caused for example by leakages in the gas turbine fuel supply line piping, involves a serious risk of explosions, because such explosive gases can enter in contact with the gas turbine hot surfaces, wherein auto-ignition of the gases can occur.

[0003] For example, currently, gas turbines use air for enclosure ventilation systems. This can lead to hazardous scenarios where potential fuel gas leakage inside the enclosure creates a flammable mixture.

[0004] As a consequence, the configuration of the compartment ventilation system is an important requirement in the engines industry in order to minimize the risk of explosions.

[0005] Accordingly, an improved enclosure ventilation system to address the issues of contact between possible fuel leaks and hot surfaces of the engine and the subsequent risk of a potential leakage of combustible gas inside the enclosure that can create a flammable mixture of the current art would be beneficial and would be welcomed in the technology.

[0006] In particular, such improved system should be much more efficient than the prior art systems, in order to be safer.SUMMARY

[0007] In one aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to a ventilation system for an engine enclosure configured to use an inert gas as ventilation fluid. The ventilation system comprising an inert gas inlet of the engine enclosure and an inert gas outlet of the engine enclosure.

[0008] A further aspect of the present disclosure is drawn to a ventilation system comprises an inert gas recirculating fan or compressor. In addition, the ventilation system can comprise a gas analyzer and an inert gas make-up system.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A more complete appreciation of the disclosed embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:Fig. l illustrates a schematic of an enclosure ventilation system with inert gas, according to an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0010] According to one aspect, the present subj ect matter is directed to a ventilation system for an engine enclosure configured to use an inert gas as ventilation fluid. Specifically, in the embodiment disclosed herein a ventilation system is provided, which includes an inert gas inlet of the engine enclosure and an inert gas outlet of the engine enclosure.

[0011] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the disclosure, not limitation of the disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that the particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment s). Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0012] When introducing elements of various embodiments the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0013] Reference throughout the specification to “engine” means any rotating or electrical engine or alternative engine e.g. also compressors.

[0014] Referring now to the drawing, Fig.1 shows a schematic of an exemplary ventilation system for an engine enclosure 10 surrounding an engine 100. The ventilation system comprises an inert gas inlet 11 of the engine enclosure 10 and an inert gas outlet 12 of the engine enclosure 10.

[0015] In this way, the common air ventilation flow used to dissipate heat rejection and to dilute accidental gas leak is replaced by a closed ventilation loop using an inert gas. In addition, the comburent, i.e. oxygen, is no more present and therefore any risk of ignition is removed. In consequence, the system does not need a fire-fighting system, filtering system and all mitigation measures against hazardous scenarios.

[0016] With reference to Fig. 1, the ventilation system comprises an inert gas recirculation line 13 and an inert gas cooler 14. In particular, the inert gas cooler 14 isconfigured to cool the inert gas from the temperature at the exit from the engine enclosure (generally at a maximum temperature of 80°C) to an exemplary maximum temperature of 60°C. Cold ambient air is sent to the air cooler 14, to cool the inert gas by heat exchange. Ambient air (generally at a maximum of 50°C) is heated up to an exemplary temperature of 55°C.

[0017] Always referring to Fig. 1, the ventilation system further comprises a recirculating fan or compressor 15. In particular, the compressor 15 is configured to balance all circuit pressure drops especially within the cooler.

[0018] In addition, the ventilation system further comprises a gas analyzer 16 and an inert gas make-up system 17. Preferably, the gas analyzer 16 and the inert gas makeup system 17 are configured to maintain an inert gas concentration greater than 95% within the closed loop ventilation system.

[0019] Always referring to Fig. 1, the inert gas make-up system 17 comprises an inert gas generator 17 and an inert gas storage 19.

[0020] In addition, the inert gas make-up system 17 comprises a compressor 18 and a pressure swing adsorption separator 20. In particular, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the inert gas used in the ventilation system is nitrogen generated from air using the pressure swing adsorption separator 20 and then stored in the inert gas storage 19.

[0021] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, changes, and omissions are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. In addition, unless specified otherwise herein, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A ventilation system for an engine enclosure (10), the ventilation system being configured to use an inert gas as ventilation fluid, the ventilation system comprising an inert gas inlet (11) of the engine enclosure (10) and an inert gas outlet (12) of the engine enclosure (10), wherein the ventilation system comprises an inert gas recirculation line (13).

2. The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation system comprises an inert gas cooler (14).

3. The ventilation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation system further comprises a recirculating fan or compressor (15).

4. The ventilation system according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the ventilation system further comprises a gas analyzer (16) and an inert gas make-up system (17).

5. The ventilation system according to claim 4, wherein the gas analyzer (16) and the inert gas make-up system (17) are configured to maintain an inert gas concentration greater than 95% within the closed loop ventilation system.

6. The ventilation system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inert gas make-up system (17) comprises an inert gas generator (17).

7. The ventilation system according to claim 6, wherein the inert gas make-up system (17) further comprises an inert gas storage (19).

8. The ventilation system according to one or more of claims 4-7, wherein the inert gas make-up system (17) comprising a compressor (18) and a pressure swing adsorption (20) or a cryogenic generator.

9. The ventilation system according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the inert gas is nitrogen.

10. Use of an inert gas as ventilation fluid in a ventilation system for an engine enclosure (10).-5-

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