Gas Turbine Burner Two-Stage Injection via Nested Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine burners face challenges in implementing a second stage of gas injection without altering the aerodynamics or outer contour of the central fuel supply arrangement, which is crucial for controlling emissions and combustion stability.

Innovation Solution

The integration of two gas distribution channels within a single gas supply pipe, allowing for coaxial or adjacent arrangement, with elastic compensation elements to manage thermal expansions and adapter pieces for optimal flow, maintains the burner's aerodynamics while enabling two-stage gas injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a second gas distribution channel is added to the central fuel supply arrangement, then two-stage gas injection capability is improved, but the outer contour and aerodynamics of the central fuel supply arrangement are significantly changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetwo-stage gas injection capabilityVSAvoidouter contour of central fuel supply arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the second gas distribution channel by nesting it within the existing gas supply pipe structure. The second gas channel is positioned coaxially inside the first gas channel, allowing both channels to share the same physical space without altering the external contour of the central fuel supply arrangement. This nested configuration enables two-stage gas injection while preserving the original aerodynamic characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the spatial conflict by transitioning to a multi-dimensional arrangement where gas channels are organized along the axial dimension rather than requiring lateral expansion. The first and second gas distribution channels are arranged coaxially in the axial direction, allowing the outer contour to remain unchanged while accommodating additional gas injection functionality through vertical stacking of flow paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate gas supply pipes are used for the two gas distribution channels, then gas supply flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the fuel supply arrangement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas supply flexibilityVSAvoidfuel supply arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of two separate gas supply pipes into a single integrated gas supply pipe that contains both the first and second gas distribution channels. This consolidation reduces the number of external connections and simplifies the overall fuel supply arrangement while maintaining the ability to independently control gas flow to each distribution channel through internal channel separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single gas supply pipe is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the structural housing for both gas channels, provides thermal pathways for heat transfer between channels, and maintains pressure boundaries for independent gas flow control. This multi-functional design reduces component count and simplifies the fuel supply system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances the flexibility and control of gas turbine operations by allowing two-stage gas injection without significant changes to the burner's aerodynamics, improving combustion stability and reducing emissions.

Implementation Method 1

Since the inner tube is cooled by the flowing fuel and the outer tube is heated by compressor air, different thermal expansions can result in the two tubes. These can be compensated if the inner tube and / or the outer tube has or have an elastic compensation element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

swirl blades are arranged in the ring air duct, which have first gas nozzles for injecting a gaseous fuel into the combustion air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwirl flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2449310B1Burner, especially for gas turbines

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

Provided is a burner with a central fuel supply arrangement (27), an annular air channel (17) surrounding the central fuel supply arrangement (27) for supplying combustion air, and swirl vanes (19) disposed in the annular air channel (17). The swirl vanes (19) have first gas nozzles (21) for injecting a gaseous fuel into the combustion air, and second gas nozzles (23) for injecting a gaseous fuel into the combustion air. The first gas nozzles (21) are fed from a first gas distribution channel (29) in the fuel supply arrangement (27), and the second gas nozzles (23) are fed from a second gas distribution channel (31) in the fuel supply arrangement (27). The first gas distribution channel (29) and the second gas distribution channel (31) are supplied with combustion gas from a gas supply pipe (41) which has a first gas supply channel (35) and a second gas supply channel (37), the first gas supply channel (35) being connected to the first gas distribution channel (29) and the second gas supply channel (37) being connected to the second gas distribution channel (31).