Gas Turbine Burner Failure Detection Using Temperature Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature-based burner fault detection methods in gas turbine engines are prone to sensor failures and swirl-induced variability, leading to inaccurate alarms and unnecessary shutdowns, and require complex position detection, which can delay hazard protection.
Innovation Solution
A method using annularly arranged temperature sensors to obtain and validate temperature signals, determining a temperature focus within a tolerance range, and performing hazard protection actions when the focus exceeds a threshold, without relying on individual signal comparisons or position detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature-based burner fault detection is used, then burner failure can be detected, but sensor failures and swirl-induced variability cause inaccurate alarms and unnecessary shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the temperature measurement by dividing the combustor outlet into multiple annular zones with temperature sensors positioned at different radial locations. This allows differentiation between swirl-induced temperature variations (affecting all zones) and actual burner failures (affecting specific zones), thereby improving detection reliability while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple temperature sensors beyond the minimum single sensor requirement, positioning them at different annular locations. This excessive use of sensors provides redundant measurements that can be processed to filter out swirl effects and identify true burner failures, resolving the contradiction between reliability and precision
2Loss of information
If position detection of burner failure is implemented, then maintenance information can be provided, but system complexity increases and hazard protection is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential information needed for hazard protection (temperature focus determination) from the full set of sensor data, postponing position-specific analysis to a later maintenance phase. This reduces immediate system complexity while preserving position information for future use
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary hazard protection based on temperature focus without immediate position detection. Position information is extracted and stored for later maintenance planning, separating the urgent hazard protection function from the non-urgent position identification function
3Reliability
If multiple temperature sensors are used to improve reliability, then sensor failure impact is reduced, but processing complexity and response time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing rules to different sensor groups based on their annular positions. Sensors are grouped by location, and each group is processed independently to determine local temperature characteristics. This localized processing reduces overall computational complexity while maintaining high reliability through multiple sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes only the necessary subset of sensor data for immediate hazard protection (temperature focus) rather than analyzing all possible combinations of sensor readings. This partial processing approach maintains rapid response while still utilizing multiple sensors for reliability
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 method provides robust and rapid burner failure detection, preventing false alarms and shutdowns, while ensuring timely hazard protection and allowing for efficient engine operation and maintenance planning.
Implementation Method 1
one or more burners of a combustor of the turbine system may fail. For example, flames of the one or more burners may unexpectedly extinguish. In some cases, a burner fault detection may be temperature-based and may be accomplished by using temperature sensors (e.g., thermocouples)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting a burner failure in a gas turbine engine that has a combustor and a turbine disposed downstream of the combustor. The combustor has a plurality of burners arranged annularly. The method includes providing a plurality of temperature sensors arranged annularly at an outlet of the turbine; obtaining a plurality of temperature signals from the plurality of temperature sensors; determining a plurality of validated temperature signals from the plurality of temperature signals; determining a temperature focus at least based on the plurality of validated temperature signals; improving the temperature focus such that the temperature focus is within a tolerance range; and performing at least one hazard protection action at least when the temperature focus crosses a predetermined threshold.