Combustor Dilution Hole Layout for Uniform Hydrogen Flame Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines produce harmful emissions such as NOx, CO, UHC, and oxides of sulfur, and using hydrogen-containing fuels exacerbates issues with flame temperature and uniformity, potentially damaging engine components.
Innovation Solution
A combustor design with a set of dilution passages forming a dilution hole arrangement in the liner, which directs and shapes the flame to ensure uniform temperature distribution and prevents overheating of engine components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogen-containing fuels are used in the combustor, then the energy density and combustion efficiency are improved, but the flame temperature increases and becomes non-uniform, potentially damaging engine components
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor liner is segmented into multiple regions with strategically positioned dilution holes that divide the high-temperature flame into cooler, more uniform zones. This segmentation allows the combustor to handle hydrogen-containing fuels while preventing localized overheating of components.
Solution Approach 2:
Cool air is introduced as an intermediary substance through dilution passages, acting as a mediator between the high-temperature flame and the combustor components. This intermediary cool air reduces flame temperature and prevents direct contact between the flame and hot surfaces, thereby protecting engine components while maintaining combustion efficiency.
2Productivity
If hydrogen-containing fuels are used in the combustor, then the combustion efficiency is improved, but the flame uniformity deteriorates, causing non-uniform temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the combustor liner are equipped with dilution holes of varying sizes and spacing, creating local quality variations that tailored cool air injection to specific flame zones. This local quality approach ensures uniform temperature distribution while maintaining overall combustion efficiency.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional fuels are used in the combustor, then the emissions are harmful (NOx, CO, UHC, SOx), but using hydrogen-containing fuels exacerbates the issue with flame temperature and uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high flame temperature associated with hydrogen-containing fuels into a beneficial controlled cooling process. By introducing cool air through dilution holes, the system manages the thermal energy to prevent component damage while still achieving efficient combustion, effectively turning a harmful characteristic into a controllable feature.
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 dilution hole arrangement ensures uniform flame and temperature distribution, preventing overheating of engine parts and optimizing performance with hydrogen-containing fuels.
Implementation Method 1
A combustor design with a set of dilution passages forming a dilution hole arrangement in the liner, which directs and shapes the flame to ensure uniform temperature distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a dome wall, an inner liner and an outer liner at least partially defining a combustion chamber, and a plurality of dilution holes arranged in a dilution hole arrangement in at least one of the liners. The dilution hole arrangement includes a first subset of dilution holes arranged along a first leg and a second subset of dilution holes arranged along a second leg, the first and second legs extending in diverging directions from a region proximate an apex located between the first and second subsets.