Adjustable Flow Deflecting Member for Gas Turbine Diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engines experience reduced diffuser assembly performance due to tip-strong total pressure profiles at partial loads, leading to flow separation and uneven velocity distribution, which negatively impacts the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) assembly downstream, causing premature failure or damage.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser assembly with an adjustable flow deflecting member attached to the outer boundary member, which redirects exhaust flow to achieve a substantially uniform velocity distribution within the exhaust flow path, thereby improving diffuser assembly performance and ensuring even distribution to the HRSG assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the diffuser assembly operates at partial loads with tip-strong total pressure profile, then the compressor can supply compressed air to the combustor, but flow separation occurs at the inner wall and velocity distribution becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the diffuser vane movable rather than fixed. The diffuser vane can rotate about its hub to adjust its angle relative to the axial direction, allowing the diffuser assembly to adapt to different operating conditions and maintain uniform velocity distribution across the exhaust flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the angle of the diffuser vane. By rotating the diffuser vane to different angles, the flow deflection characteristics change, which alters the velocity distribution pattern in the exhaust flow path. This parameter adjustment enables the system to compensate for tip-strong pressure profiles and achieve uniform velocity distribution.
2Device complexity
If the velocity profile remains skewed without adjustment, then the diffuser assembly structure remains simple, but the HRSG assembly downstream experiences premature failure or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The movable diffuser vane introduces a dynamic element to the otherwise static diffuser assembly. This single movable component allows the system to actively control flow distribution, protecting downstream HRSG equipment from damage caused by non-uniform velocity profiles while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser vane acts as an intermediary element between the compressor outlet and the HRSG assembly. It modifies the velocity profile of the exhaust flow before it reaches the HRSG, preventing direct harmful effects on the downstream equipment while maintaining the overall system functionality.
3Device complexity
If no flow deflection is applied, then the diffuser assembly has fewer components, but the working fluid cannot distribute evenly in the exhaust flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable diffuser vane provides a dynamic solution to achieve uniform velocity distribution. By adjusting the vane angle, the system can compensate for non-uniform flow patterns without requiring multiple fixed vanes or complex flow control mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while improving distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves uniform velocity distribution by changing the angular parameter of the diffuser vane. This single parameter adjustment allows flexible control over flow distribution characteristics, enabling the system to adapt to varying operating conditions without adding multiple components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable flow deflecting member enhances diffuser assembly performance at partial loads by reducing tip-strong profiles, ensuring efficient pressure recovery and extending the lifespan of the HRSG assembly by maintaining uniform velocity distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The flow deflecting member may be adjustable about the outer boundary member to produce a substantially uniform velocity distribution within the exhaust flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser assembly is provided herein. In certain embodiments, the diffuser assembly may include an outer boundary member and an inner boundary member, with the inner boundary member being positioned radially inward of the outer boundary member. The diffuser assembly also may include an exhaust flow path defined between the outer boundary member and the inner boundary member. Further, the diffuser assembly may include at least one flow deflecting member operatively attached to the outer boundary member. The flow deflecting member may be adjustable about the outer boundary member to produce a substantially uniform velocity distribution within the exhaust flow path.