Annular Fuel Manifold Deflector Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbines, liquid fuels flowing through fuel nozzles can become stagnant and exposed to high temperatures, leading to adverse effects if not circulated effectively, which can impact combustion efficiency and NOx emissions.
Innovation Solution
An annular fuel manifold with a deflector oriented along the circumference of the plenum is used to deflect and circulate liquid fuel flow, ensuring it moves quickly and prevents stagnation, thereby maintaining efficient fuel distribution and cooling within the fuel nozzle system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid fuel is supplied to the annular fuel manifold without a deflector, then the fuel flow path is simple, but the liquid fuel becomes stagnant and exposed to high temperatures causing adverse effects
Solution Approach 1:
The annular fuel manifold is segmented into distinct functional zones: an axial inlet region, a deflector element creating circumferential flow, and multiple outlet ports distributed around the circumference. This segmentation allows the fuel to follow a controlled path that prevents stagnation while maintaining structural organization and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A deflector element is introduced as an intermediary component within the annular fuel manifold. This deflector mediates between the axial fuel inlet and the circumferential outlet ports, converting axial flow into circumferential flow to prevent fuel stagnation and exposure to high temperatures, thereby improving reliability without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Temperature
If liquid fuel moves quickly through the fuel nozzle, then cooling effect is improved, but the risk of stagnation and high temperature exposure increases without proper flow control
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel flow dynamics are transformed from simple axial flow to circumferential flow through the deflector element. This dynamic flow pattern ensures continuous movement of fuel along the circumference, maintaining effective cooling while preventing stagnation. The circumferential flow path creates consistent velocity distribution that enhances both cooling efficiency and flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel flow is redirected from a one-dimensional axial path to a two-dimensional circumferential path within the annular manifold. This dimensional change allows the fuel to traverse a longer path at controlled velocity, improving cooling effectiveness while maintaining flow stability through the distributed outlet ports around the circumference.
3Productivity
If a deflector is added to deflect fuel flow along the circumference, then fuel circulation is enhanced and stagnation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector element within the annular fuel manifold serves multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects axial flow to circumferential flow, prevents fuel stagnation, distributes fuel evenly to multiple outlet ports, and maintains flow velocity for effective cooling. This multi-functionality enhances circulation efficiency without requiring multiple separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Productivity
If liquid fuel is exposed to high temperatures for extended periods, then combustion efficiency may improve, but adverse effects and NOx emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential flow pattern created by the deflector ensures continuous movement of liquid fuel through the annular manifold, preventing stagnation and limiting exposure time to high temperatures. This continuous circulation maintains fuel integrity while enabling efficient combustion, and by preventing excessive thermal exposure, it reduces the formation of NOx emissions and other harmful byproducts.
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 solution enhances fuel circulation and cooling within the fuel nozzle, reducing the adverse effects of high temperatures and maintaining low NOx emissions by ensuring continuous and efficient liquid fuel flow, thus improving combustion efficiency and system performance.
Implementation Method 1
a deflector downstream of the axial inlet, the deflector oriented such that liquid fuel flow into the annular fuel plenum from the axial inlet is deflected by the deflector at least partially along a circumference of the annular fuel plenum
Implementation Method 2
Liquid fuel flowing through the various portions of a fuel nozzle may be exposed to relatively high temperatures. So long as the liquid fuel moves quickly enough through the fuel nozzle, the liquid fuel may provide advantageous cooling to the fuel system
Data Source
AI summary
An annular fuel manifold includes an annular fuel plenum defined within the annular fuel manifold, an axial inlet into the annular fuel plenum, and a deflector downstream of the axial inlet, the deflector oriented such that fluid flow into the annular fuel plenum from the axial inlet is deflected by the deflector at least partially along a circumference of the annular fuel plenum.