Gas Turbine Combustor Fuel Nozzle Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbines face challenges in regulating air flow rates in accordance with fuel flow rates, leading to an increased equivalence ratio and surplus oxygen in combustion gases, which is not optimal for efficient combustion and carbon dioxide utilization in supercritical CO2 gas turbine facilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a gas turbine combustor with a fuel nozzle that includes multiple fuel and oxidant supply passages, each with flow rate regulating valves, allowing for individual regulation of fuel and oxidant flow rates to maintain a stoichiometric mixture ratio, thereby adjusting air flow rates in response to changes in fuel flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the air flow rate is determined by compressor operation characteristics without individual regulation, then the system structure is simple, but the equivalence ratio increases significantly from ignition to rated load, leading to surplus oxygen in combustion gases
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into multiple independent supply paths, each with its own flow rate regulating valve. This allows individual regulation of air flow rates from different supply systems, enabling precise control of the equivalence ratio while maintaining system simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply system transitions from a static distribution based on fixed opening area ratios to a dynamic system where flow rates can be individually adjusted via regulating valves. This enables the equivalence ratio to be actively controlled and maintained at desired levels across varying load conditions
2Productivity
If the fuel flow rate is significantly changed to regulate load, then the load regulation capability is improved, but the equivalence ratio varies widely, causing combustion efficiency to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates flow rate regulating valves that enable feedback control of air flow rates based on load conditions and equivalence ratio requirements. This allows the air supply to be dynamically adjusted to match fuel flow rate changes, maintaining optimal equivalence ratio and combustion efficiency across the full load range
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of multiple air supply paths simultaneously, adjusting each path's flow rate via regulating valves to maintain the desired equivalence ratio. This coordinated parameter adjustment ensures efficient combustion while accommodating significant fuel flow rate changes for load regulation
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple air supply systems with individual flow rate regulation are implemented, then the equivalence ratio control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is divided into multiple independent supply paths, each with its own flow rate regulating valve. This segmentation enables precise individual control of air flow rates while maintaining modularity, allowing the complex control function to be achieved through repeated simple, standardized components
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple air supply paths are designed with similar structures and control mechanisms, creating universal components that can be individually regulated. This multi-functionality allows the same type of regulating valve and supply path design to serve different air supply needs, reducing overall system complexity through standardization
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 solution enables the maintenance of a constant equivalence ratio of 1 across varying loads, promoting stable combustion, reducing surplus oxygen, and optimizing the use of carbon dioxide as a working fluid in supercritical CO2 gas turbines.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel and an oxidant are jetted from a fuel nozzle into a combustor liner, the fuel and the oxidant jetted into the combustor liner react with each other to form flames
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor of an embodiment includes: a cylindrical combustor liner; and a fuel nozzle which is provided at one end of the combustor liner and jets a fuel and an oxidant into the combustor liner. The fuel nozzle includes: a plurality of fuel supply passages which each supply the fuel; and a plurality of oxidant supply passages which each supply the oxidant. Flow rates of the fuel supplied to the respective fuel supply passages and flow rates of the oxidant supplied to the respective oxidant supply passages are each individually regulated.