Can Combustor Pressure Control for Emission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In combustor systems with multiple can combustors, variations in combustion chamber pressure, fuel supply, and end cover effective area lead to significant can-to-can operation changes, resulting in increased emissions and reduced operating space due to fuel-to-air ratio and pressure differential variations.
Innovation Solution
A control system that calculates pressure drops and differentials across can combustors, using sensors to measure combustion chamber pressures and iteratively adjusts combustion parameters, such as fuel or diluent flow rates, to minimize these variations and achieve a consistent fuel-to-air ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If combustion chamber pressure control is implemented to maintain consistent fuel-to-air ratio, then emissions are reduced, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously measures combustion chamber pressure in each can combustor, calculates pressure drops across the end cover, determines differentials from average pressure drop, and adjusts fuel delivery accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism reduces emissions by maintaining consistent fuel-to-air ratios while automatically compensating for pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow control mechanisms with a control system that uses pressure measurements and calculations to determine fuel delivery adjustments. Instead of mechanical flow restrictors or variable geometry components, the system uses electronic sensing and control logic to achieve the same objective of maintaining consistent combustion conditions.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors and control mechanisms are added to each can combustor, then can-to-can variation is reduced, but manufacturing cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is implemented in a modular fashion where each can combustor has its own pressure sensor and control logic. The system calculates pressure drops and differentials for individual cans and adjusts fuel delivery on a per-can basis. This segmented approach allows for targeted control of each combustor while maintaining overall system coordination through the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
Each can combustor essentially controls its own fuel delivery based on its own pressure measurements. The system autonomously determines the pressure drop across its end cover, compares it to the average, and adjusts its fuel flow accordingly without requiring direct intervention from other cans or centralized mechanical control mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fuel delivery is adjusted based on pressure drop differentials, then fuel-to-air ratio consistency is improved, but control system complexity and calculation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary calculations of pressure drops and differentials before making fuel delivery adjustments. By pre-calculating the average pressure drop across all end covers and determining individual can differentials in advance, the system prepares the necessary control data before actual fuel adjustment is needed, streamlining the control process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes fuel delivery parameters based on calculated pressure drop differentials. Instead of using fixed fuel delivery settings, the control algorithm continuously adjusts fuel flow rates according to the measured pressure conditions and calculated differentials, maintaining optimal fuel-to-air ratios despite varying operating conditions.
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 approach reduces can-to-can variation, leading to lower emissions, improved operating space, and reduced operational issues like outages and blowouts by automatically addressing operational outliers and maintaining optimal combustion conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor system including a pressure sensor for measuring a combustion flow pressure within the combustion chamber of each of the respective plurality of can combustors
Implementation Method 2
a pressure drop for each respective can combustor of the plurality of can combustors between a selected combustion fluid upstream of the combustion chamber and a combustion flow within the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 3
a controller modifying a combustion parameter of at least one can combustor to reduce the differential for the at least one can combustor
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a combustor system including a plurality of can combustors, each can combustor accommodating combustion of a plurality of combustion fluids in a combustion chamber thereof is provided. The control system may include a calculator calculating: a) a pressure drop for each respective can combustor of the plurality of can combustors between a selected combustion fluid upstream of the combustion chamber and a combustion flow within the combustion chamber of the respective can combustor, and b) a differential between the respective pressure drop for each of the plurality of can combustors and an average pressure drop across all of the plurality of can combustors. The differentials identify can-to-can variation. A controller can modify a combustion parameter of at least one can combustor to reduce the differential for the at least one can combustor. The system can work iteratively to reduce can-to-can variation.