Arcuate Heat Shield Combustor Vortex Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine combustors face challenges with pressure oscillations due to unsteady vortices and unburned fuel ignition, leading to excessive emissions and reduced durability, as existing heat shields fail to effectively manage vortex formation and heat release.
Innovation Solution
The design of a non-planar heat shield with an arcuate shape extending from the opening to the perimeter, coupled to a domeplate, which reduces vortex formation by positioning the fuel injector through an opening and utilizing an annular centerbody with convergent-divergent surfaces to stabilize the flame and prevent recirculation zones from reaching the heat shields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional heat shield with planar configuration is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it fails to effectively manage vortex formation and heat release, leading to pressure oscillations and excessive emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is configured with a non-planar, arcuate surface that curves downstream from the opening toward the perimeter. This curved geometry actively manages vortex formation by guiding flow patterns, reducing unsteady heat release, and minimizing pressure oscillations while maintaining structural integrity and combustion stability
2Area of stationary object
If the heat shield perimeter is positioned close to the opening, then the heat shield coverage is maximized, but unsteady vortices and unburned fuel ignition occur, causing pressure oscillations to exceed acceptable limits
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield extends in the third dimension (downstream direction) with an arcuate profile that positions different portions at different downstream distances. This dimensional approach allows the perimeter to be positioned optimally to reduce vortex formation and pressure oscillations while still providing adequate heat shield coverage area
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the arcuate heat shield configuration is implemented, then pressure oscillations are minimized and emissions are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate configuration of the heat shield is designed to reduce emissions by minimizing unsteady heat release and vortex formation. The curved geometry promotes more complete and stable combustion, lowering harmful emissions while the design accommodates manufacturing tolerances through its flow-managing geometry
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 minimizes pressure oscillations, stabilizes combustion, reduces emissions, and enhances the durability of combustor components by eliminating unsteady heat release and large-scale vortices, while maintaining flame stability and emissions performance.
Implementation Method 1
The heat shield is non-planar and extends arcuately from the opening to the perimeter... Each of the radially inner and radially outer surfaces extend arcuately from a leading edge downstream to a trailing edge to facilitate reducing vortex formation downstream from the centerbody
Implementation Method 2
coupling at least one fuel injector to the domeplate such that a portion of the fuel injector extends through the heat shield opening... mix high velocity air with liquid fuels, such as diesel fuel, or gaseous fuels, such as natural gas, to enhance flame stabilization and mixing
Implementation Method 3
Each of the radially inner and radially outer surfaces extend arcuately from a leading edge downstream to a trailing edge to facilitate reducing vortex formation downstream from the centerbody... stabilize the flame and prevent recirculation zones from reaching the heat shields
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a gas turbine engine combustor is provided. The method includes providing a heat shield defined by a perimeter. The perimeter includes a radially inner edge, a radially outer edge, an axially inner edge, an axially outer edge, and an opening that extends from an upstream side of the heat shield to a downstream side of the heat shield. The method further includes coupling the heat shield to a domeplate such that the perimeter of the heat shield is positioned a distance downstream from an edge of the heat shield defining the opening. The method additionally includes coupling at least one fuel injector to the domeplate such that a portion of the fuel injector extends through the heat shield opening.