Combustor Dilution Passage Radiusing to Limit Flow Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines produce environmentally harmful by-products such as NOx, CO, UHC, and SOx due to the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, and there is a need to improve airflow control to reduce flow separation and enhance combustion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of radiused inlets and channels in dilution passages within the combustor to control airflow, reducing flow separation and enhancing combustion efficiency, particularly suitable for hydrogen-containing fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional straight inlet passages are used in dilution passages, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but flow separation occurs reducing combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing straight inlet passages with radiused (curved) inlet passages in the dilution passages. This curvature modification eliminates flow separation by creating smooth flow transitions, thereby improving combustion efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through standard radiusing operations.
2Productivity
If radiused inlets and channels are implemented in dilution passages, then flow separation is reduced and combustion efficiency is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiused inlet passages introduce curvature to eliminate flow separation and improve combustion efficiency. While this increases geometric complexity compared to straight passages, the complexity is managed through standard radiusing operations that can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes.
3Productivity
If dilution passages are used to control airflow, then combustion efficiency improves, but harmful emissions such as NOx and CO are reduced only with proper airflow control
Solution Approach 1:
The radiused inlet passages improve airflow control by eliminating flow separation, which enhances combustion efficiency. This improved combustion completeness directly reduces harmful emissions such as CO and unburned hydrocarbons, while the controlled mixing also helps manage NOx formation.
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 radiused inlets and channels minimize flow separation, improving combustion efficiency and reducing harmful emissions, making the combustor suitable for hydrogen fuels while maintaining performance with traditional hydrocarbon fuels.
Implementation Method 1
The radiused inlet is coupled to a passageway... reducing flow separation
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor comprising a dome wall, a combustor liner extending from the dome wall, and a combustion chamber at least partially defined by the dome wall and the combustor liner. A set of fuel cups are arranged along the dome wall. A set of dilution passages extend through the dome wall or the combustor liner to direct air into the combustion chamber, wherein a dilution passage of the set of dilution passages includes an inlet, an outlet, a passageway, and a plurality of apertures.