Catalytic Ignition System Compact Gas Turbine Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ignition systems for gas turbine combustion systems are bulky and impractical for certain geometrical mounting locations, necessitating a more compact and effective ignition solution.
Innovation Solution
A catalytic ignition system comprising a metallic shell with a catalyst and a fuel tube, where gas fuel reacts with ambient air to cause auto-ignition, eliminating the need for a spark igniter and allowing for compact installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spark igniter is used to light off fuel in a gas turbine combustion system, then reliable ignition is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and difficult to mount in certain locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical spark igniter system with a catalytic combustion system. The catalytic igniter uses a catalyst-coated substrate that promotes combustion through chemical catalysis rather than electrical sparks, eliminating the need for bulky electrical components and high-voltage systems while maintaining reliable ignition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the ignition mechanism from high-energy electrical discharge to low-energy catalytic surface reaction. By using a catalyst material that lowers the activation energy required for combustion, the system achieves reliable ignition at lower energy levels and with a much more compact form factor suitable for tight mounting spaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a compact catalytic igniter is used, then installation flexibility is improved, but the system must achieve auto-ignition without a spark source
Solution Approach 1:
The catalytic igniter is designed to be self-activating through auto-ignition. The catalyst-coated substrate, when exposed to the fuel-air mixture, automatically initiates combustion through surface catalysis without requiring external spark sources or complex control systems. The system uses the chemical energy of the fuel-catalyst reaction to sustain ignition.
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the combustion reaction between fuel and oxygen. The catalyst-coated substrate provides a surface that enables fuel oxidation at lower temperatures, mediating the ignition process and eliminating the need for complex electrical ignition systems while maintaining mounting flexibility.
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 catalytic ignition system enables auto-ignition of gas fuel within the combustion system, providing a compact and efficient ignition solution that can be easily integrated into gas turbine combustors, reducing bulkiness and improving installation flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst disposed within the metallic shell... The gas fuel and catalyst react with ambient air to cause auto-ignition of the gas fuel
Implementation Method 2
The fuel tube is oriented to direct a flow of gas fuel from the gas fuel supply from an upstream end of the metallic shell, across the catalyst and towards a downstream end of the metallic shell
Implementation Method 3
a combustor having a fuel nozzle in fluid communication with a fuel supply and a combustion zone defined downstream from the fuel nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A catalytic ignition system includes a gas fuel supply and a catalytic igniter that is in fluid communication with the gas fuel supply. The catalytic igniter comprises a metallic shell, a catalyst disposed within the metallic shell and a fuel tube that is oriented so as to direct a flow of gas fuel from the gas fuel supply across the catalyst and towards a downstream end of the metallic shell.