Combustor Flow Sleeve Valve for Flame Holding Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustor designs face challenges in maintaining optimal working fluid flow through fuel nozzles due to diversion of compressed working fluid for late lean injectors, leading to flame holding conditions and limitations in operating with liquid fuel without additional NOX abatement measures.
Innovation Solution
A system with circumferentially arranged injectors and a valve upstream to control the flow of working fluid, allowing for variable diversion and distribution through a flow sleeve or liner, enabling adjustment of working fluid flow to support liquid fuel combustion and mitigate flame holding conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If compressed working fluid is diverted through late lean injectors to increase combustion gas temperature and thermodynamic efficiency, then combustion gas temperature and efficiency are improved, but the amount and velocity of compressed working fluid available to flow through fuel nozzles is reduced, creating flame holding conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the working fluid flow distribution adjustable through valves. The system can dynamically vary the amount of working fluid diverted through injectors versus flowing through fuel nozzles, allowing optimization of the trade-off between combustion temperature and flame holding prevention under different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of working fluid flow distribution by introducing valves that can adjust the split between injectors and fuel nozzles. This parameter adjustment enables the system to operate at different points along the trade-off curve between temperature gain and flame holding risk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compressed working fluid flow through fuel nozzles is reduced to accommodate injector diversion, then injector functionality is improved, but the ability to operate with liquid fuel without additional NOX abatement measures is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic valve control system allows the working fluid flow distribution to be adjusted in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to different fuel types and operating conditions. This flexibility ensures that sufficient flow can be directed to fuel nozzles when operating with liquid fuel to maintain proper combustion characteristics and control NOX emissions.
3Productivity
If higher combustion gas temperatures are achieved to improve thermodynamic efficiency, then efficiency is improved, but the disassociation rate of diatomic nitrogen increases, increasing NOX production
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of working fluid flow distribution to control the fuel-to-air ratio in the combustion zone. By adjusting this parameter through valve control, the system can achieve high temperatures for efficiency while preventing excessive NOX formation through optimized air-fuel mixing.
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 system allows for optimized working fluid distribution, reducing flame holding risks and enabling efficient operation with liquid fuel while minimizing NOX production, by varying the amount of working fluid diverted through injectors and providing a uniform fuel-air mixture.
Implementation Method 1
A valve upstream from at least one of the plurality of injectors has a first position that permits working fluid flow to the at least one injector and a second position that prevents working fluid flow to the at least one injector
Data Source
AI summary
A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle, a combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle, and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber. Injectors circumferentially arranged around the flow sleeve provide fluid communication through the flow sleeve and into the combustion chamber. A valve upstream from the injectors has a first position that permits working fluid flow to the injectors and a second position that prevents working fluid flow to the injectors. A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through a combustion chamber, diverting a portion of the working fluid through injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber, and operating a valve upstream from the injectors to control the working fluid flow through the injectors.