Axial Flow Turbine Handling Two-Phase Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current turbines are not efficiently designed to handle various fluid phases, such as gas, liquid, two-phase, and transition flows, leading to poor performance and damage, and require separate designs for different applications, which is costly and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A Variable Phase Turbine Generator Assembly (VPTGA) and Variable Phase Turbine Generator Pump Assembly (VPTGPA) that can operate efficiently with gas, liquid, two-phase, or transition flows, using adjustable nozzle inserts and blade configurations to maximize kinetic energy conversion and separate liquid from gas, with no external seals, allowing for adaptation to changing thermal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a radial inflow gas turbine is used for two-phase flow, then the turbine structure is simple, but liquid is thrown backwards into the nozzle blades causing poor performance and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional radial inflow configuration by using an axial flow arrangement where fluid moves parallel to the rotation axis. This inversion eliminates the centrifugal force component that causes liquid to be thrown backwards into nozzle blades, thereby resolving the reliability issue while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow direction parameter from radial to axial, fundamentally altering how the turbine handles two-phase flow. This parameter change allows the turbine to efficiently handle liquid-vapor mixtures without the damaging liquid rebound problem inherent in radial inflow designs
2Reliability
If a specialized turbine is designed for each fluid phase and application, then the turbine is optimized for specific conditions, but the development cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal turbine design that can handle multiple fluid phases (gas, liquid, two-phase) and various flow conditions through a single axial flow configuration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized turbines for each application, significantly reducing development time and cost while maintaining optimization for each fluid type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable nozzle inserts and variable blade configurations that allow the turbine to dynamically adapt to different fluid phases and flow conditions. This dynamic adjustability enables a single turbine design to optimize performance across varying thermal and flow parameters without requiring redesign
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed turbine design is used for different thermal conditions, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable nozzle inserts and variable blade configurations that allow the turbine to dynamically adapt to different fluid phases and flow conditions. This dynamic adjustability enables a single turbine design to optimize performance across varying thermal and flow parameters without requiring redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses adjustable components that change geometric parameters (nozzle angle, blade pitch, flow area) to adapt to different operating conditions. This allows the turbine to maintain optimal performance across a wide range of thermal conditions while using a standardized manufacturing platform
4Device complexity
If liquid is not separated from the gas stream, then the turbine structure is simpler, but downstream heat rejection or separation equipment effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates liquid from the gas stream using an internal separation system within the turbine housing. This extraction of liquid before the exhaust allows downstream heat rejection and separation equipment to operate more effectively, while the separation function is integrated into the turbine structure rather than requiring separate external equipment
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
Enables efficient power generation across different fluid phases with minimal adjustments, maximizing kinetic energy conversion and reducing torque losses, while eliminating the need for external seals, thus enhancing flexibility and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
nozzle means operable to discharge a fluid medium of liquid, supercritical fluid or a mixture of liquid and gas with conversion of medium enthalpy to kinetic energy in a directed stream
Implementation Method 2
blade means configured to maximize the conversion of the kinetic energy of said directed stream into torque acting upon rotor means
Implementation Method 3
rotor means to which said blades are attached transmitting the torque to a shaft to which the rotor and a load are attached
Implementation Method 4
shroud means configured to prevent liquid which has transferred kinetic energy to the blades from contacting the casing and from being re-directed to contact the moving blades
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine is operatively connected to load structure, to transmit rotary drive thereto, with two-phase flow nozzle receiving pressurized flow to rotate the turbine, the nozzle structure configured to expand flow consisting of two or more of the following phases:i) gasii) liquidiii) gas and liquid mixtureiv) supercritical gas and liquid mixture, and with efficient conversion of enthalpy.