Gas Turbine Aft Frame Cooling via Plenum-Microchannel Network
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling methods for gas turbine aft frames are ineffective in reaching and cooling the downstream face, which is a critical area that often remains inadequately cooled due to inefficient fluid distribution.
Innovation Solution
The aft frame assembly incorporates a main body with upstream and downstream facing surfaces, featuring feed hole inlets connected to cooling channels that terminate in plenums, which are then connected to microchannel cooling slots on the downstream surface, ensuring comprehensive cooling coverage by distributing cooling fluid effectively across the aft frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fluid is removed through holes in the aft frame, then the cooling fluid can be introduced to cool the aft frame, but the cooling fluid does not reach the areas of the aft frame that need to be cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels that distribute cooling fluid to different regions of the aft frame. Each cooling channel is configured to deliver coolant to specific areas, ensuring comprehensive coverage including the downstream face that was previously difficult to cool.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aft frame are provided with tailored cooling solutions through specifically configured cooling channels. The downstream face, which has different cooling requirements compared to other areas, receives dedicated cooling fluid delivery through appropriately positioned and oriented cooling channels.
2Temperature
If the downstream face of the aft frame is to be cooled, then cooling channels must be configured to reach this area, but traditional configurations fail to deliver cooling fluid to this critical area
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling channels are configured to extend into the downstream face region, utilizing three-dimensional space within the aft frame structure. This dimensional approach allows cooling fluid to be delivered to the downstream face area that was previously inaccessible with traditional cooling configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels act as intermediaries that transport cooling fluid from the inlet holes through the aft frame structure to the downstream face area. These channels serve as the necessary medium to deliver coolant to regions that cannot be directly accessed by external cooling systems.
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
This configuration ensures that the aft frame is uniformly cooled, preventing overheating by ensuring that cooling fluid reaches all areas, including the previously difficult-to-cool downstream face, thereby enhancing the operational reliability and efficiency of the gas turbine.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of cooling channels are provided within the aft frame and are in fluid communication with the plenums
Implementation Method 2
The cooling channels are configured to deliver the cooling fluid to the downstream facing surface of the aft frame
Data Source
AI summary
An aft frame assembly for a gas turbine transition piece includes a main body having an upstream facing surface and a downstream facing surface. A plurality of feed hole inlets are located on the upstream facing surface. The feed hole inlets are coupled to a plurality of cooling channels that pass through the main body towards the downstream facing surface. A plurality of plenums are located in or near the downstream facing surface, and each cooling channel is connected to and terminates in one of the plenums. The cooling channels are inputs to the plenums. A plurality of microchannel cooling slots are formed in or near the downstream facing surface, and each microchannel cooling slot is connected to one of the plenums. The microchannel cooling slots are outputs of the plenums. Two or more cooling channels and two or more microchannel cooling slots are connected to one of the plenums.