Gas Turbine Combustor Central Lance Body Air Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine combustor arrangements face challenges in efficient fuel and air distribution, particularly in two-staged combustors, which affect the performance and maintenance of gas turbine assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A central lance body with internal air ducts and fuel ducts is introduced, allowing for concentric annular air passages and fuel supply elements that extend from the lance body to both burners, enabling improved air and fuel distribution and facilitating easier maintenance by being retractable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central lance body with internal air ducts is introduced for two-staged combustion, then fuel and air distribution is improved and flame stability is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame stabilityVSAvoidcombustor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing air ducts and fuel ducts concentrically within the central lance body. The air ducts are positioned in the outer region while fuel ducts occupy the inner region, allowing multiple functional channels to be integrated within a single lance structure. This nested arrangement improves fuel and air distribution for stable combustion while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of repair

If the central lance body is made retractable for maintenance purposes, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidcombustor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the combustor into modular components, with the central lance body forming a distinct, separable unit. The lance body can be extracted as a complete module from the combustor chamber, allowing maintenance personnel to service or replace it without dismantling the entire combustor assembly. This modular segmentation significantly improves ease of repair while the standardized interface keeps the added complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If concentric annular air passages are used for air supply, then air distribution efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair distribution efficiencyVSAvoidduct alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by providing different air supply configurations for different regions of the combustor. The air ducts include outer and inner regions with different passage characteristics, allowing optimized air distribution tailored to specific combustion zones. This regional differentiation improves air distribution efficiency while the concentric design provides natural alignment references that reduce manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enhances fuel and air distribution, stabilizes flames across varying operating conditions, reduces pollutant emissions, and simplifies maintenance by allowing the central lance body to be removed and replaced as a single unit, improving the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the combustor arrangement.

Implementation Method 1

a central lance body arranged inside the flow path and extending from the first burner through the first combustion chamber into the mixer and optionally into the second burner, wherein the central lance body comprises at least one air duct, preferably a plurality of internal air ducts in the lance body, for providing air for at least one mixer between the first burner and the second burner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3015772B1Combustor arrangement for a gas turbine
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP3015772B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3015772B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3015772B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A combustor arrangement (10) for a gas turbine comprises a first burner (20), a first combustion chamber (21), a mixer (30) for admixing a dilution gas to the gases leaving the first combustion chamber (21) during operation, a second burner (60), and a second combustion chamber (40) arranged sequentially in a fluid flow connection. These elements of the combustor arrangement (10) are arranged in a row to form a flow path (27) extending between the first combustion chamber (21) and the second burner (60). The arrangement (10) comprises a central lance body (50) in the flow path, extending from the first burner (20) into the second burner (60), which lance body (50) comprises at least one air duct (219, 221, 223) for providing air for the mixer (30), wherein the air is injected into the combustor through air supply elements (33)