Angled Radial Fuel Mixer for Combustor Flame Length Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines with traditional radial fuel/air mixture delivery systems often result in long flame lengths, leading to decreased performance and poor burn efficiency due to flame extension or quenching against the combustor liners, which negatively impacts NOx emissions and pattern factor.
Innovation Solution
An angled radial fuel/air mixture delivery system is introduced, where the radial fuel delivery system directs the fuel/air mixture at an angle between 15 degrees and 75 degrees relative to the normal gas flow path, incorporating multiple axial and radial fuel delivery systems to optimize combustion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional radial fuel/air mixture delivery system is used, then the fuel/air mixture is delivered radially into the combustor, but the flame length becomes very long causing flame extension to combustor exit or quenching against the liner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an axial component to the traditionally radial fuel delivery system. The fuel nozzles are oriented at an angle between 15-75 degrees relative to the radial direction, adding an axial dimension to the fuel injection. This dimensional change redirects the flame path away from the combustor exit and liner, reducing flame length while maintaining effective combustion.
2Productivity
If the flame length is reduced, then combustor length can be shortened for better performance, but the mixing efficiency and burn completion may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the injection angle parameter of the fuel nozzles from purely radial to an angled configuration (15-75 degrees from radial). This parameter change optimizes the flame path length and direction, allowing the flame to complete combustion within a shorter combustor length while maintaining burn completion through improved fuel/air mixing at the angled injection point.
3Device complexity
If fuel is injected normally into the combustor, then the injection system is simple, but the pattern factor deteriorates due to poor mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The angled fuel injection creates a more dynamic fuel/air mixing process. By injecting fuel at an angle rather than purely radially, the system creates enhanced turbulence and mixing patterns that improve pattern factor. The angled injection allows the fuel to penetrate deeper into the airflow, creating better mixing without requiring complex multi-hole nozzle designs.
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 reduces flame length, enhances burn completion, and improves pattern factor, thereby reducing NOx emissions and increasing the performance of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
the radial fuel delivery system directs the mixture of fuel and air into the combustor at an angle between 15 degrees and 75 degrees relative to the normal of gas flow path
Implementation Method 2
a combustor for burning a fuel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A combustor (56) is provided. The combustor may comprise an axial fuel delivery system (106; 152; 162; 172; 182), and a radial fuel delivery system (112; 154; 164; 174; 184) aft of the axial fuel delivery system (106; 152; 162; 172; 182). The radial fuel delivery system (112; 154; 164; 174; 184) may be configured to direct fuel at least partially towards the axial fuel delivery system (106; 152; 162; 172; 182). A radial fuel delivery system (112; 154; 164; 174; 184) is also provided. The system may comprise a combustor (56) including a combustor liner (102), a mixer (110) coupled to the combustor liner (102), and a nozzle (113) disposed within the mixer (110), wherein the mixer (110) and the nozzle (113) are configured to direct fuel in a direction at least partially forward.