Gas Turbine Combustor Fuel Redistribution for Low Load Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for gas turbine systems fail to adequately manage emissions at low partial loads, making it challenging to maintain compliance with emissions limits during extended operation at reduced power outputs.
Innovation Solution
A control system that redistributes fuel flow to burners in a gas turbine combustor system, utilizing burner switch-offs and fuel flow limitations to maintain operational parameters and reduce emissions, while ensuring emission compliance by monitoring and adjusting combustion and exhaust parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gas turbine system operates at low partial loads, then operational flexibility and power plant profitability are improved, but emission compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor system is divided into multiple independently controllable burners. The control system can selectively activate or deactivate individual burners based on load conditions, enabling precise control of fuel combustion and emissions at low partial loads while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts combustion parameters including fuel flow rate, air-to-fuel ratio, and burner activation patterns based on operating conditions. This allows optimization of combustion efficiency and emission control across different load ranges, particularly at low partial loads
2Use of energy by moving object
If the gas turbine system is designed for high combined cycle efficiency, then energy utilization is improved, but operational flexibility at low loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the combustor to adapt its operation across different load ranges. The system can optimize combustion parameters for high efficiency at full load while transitioning to emission-compliant operation at low partial loads through real-time parameter changes
Solution Approach 2:
The combustor system is designed to perform multiple functions: maintaining high combined cycle efficiency at full load, ensuring emission compliance at low partial loads, and providing operational flexibility across the entire load range. The multi-functional control strategy allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements
3Device complexity
If conventional control systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but emission compliance at low partial loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor combustion parameters and emission levels. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts fuel flow distribution to individual burners and activates or deactivates burners to maintain emission compliance at low partial loads
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the fuel supply system and the burners, dynamically distributing fuel flow and controlling burner activation. This intermediary control layer enables precise emission management without requiring fundamental changes to the underlying combustor hardware
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 control system effectively maintains emission compliance and operational flexibility at low partial loads, allowing the gas turbine system to operate efficiently and reliably, even at low power outputs, thereby enhancing power plant profitability and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel flow valve system including a plurality of fuel flow valves, each fuel flow valve respectively corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of burners and controlling a respective amount of fuel flow to a respective one of the plurality of burners
Implementation Method 2
Gas turbine systems are used widely to generate power by combusting a fuel and using the hot and pressurized gases to drive a turbine
Data Source
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AI summary
A combustor system (104) for a GT system may include: a plurality of burners (120, 120A-E, 120G, 1201, 120P), each burner (120, 120A-E, 120G, 1201, 120P) including an inflow region (124) for receiving a combustion air flow (126) and a mixing zone (128) disposed downstream of the inflow region (124) for receiving the air flow (126) and a fuel flow (130); a combustion chamber (105) disposed downstream of the mixing zone (128); a fuel flow valve system (140) disposed to control the fuel flow (130) to each of the plurality of burners (120, 120A-E, 120G, 1201, 120P); a combustion sensor (142) configured to determine a combustion parameter; and an exhaust sensor (144) configured to determine an exhaust parameter. A control system (160) may be connected to the combustion sensor (142), the exhaust sensor (144) and fuel flow valve system (140). The control system (160), in response to the gas turbine system (100) operating at a low partial load, redistributes the fuel flow (130) to at least one burner (120, 120A-E, 120G, 1201, 120P) of the plurality of burners (120, 120A-E, 120G, 1201, 120P) as a function of a predetermined emission limit.