Gas Turbine Combustor Laser Ignition High-Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ignition devices for gas turbines cannot withstand the high-temperature and high-pressure conditions of a CO2 gas turbine facility, as the pressure inside the combustor exceeds 10 times that of conventional turbines and temperatures exceed 600°C, surpassing the pressure-resistant and heat-resistant specifications of these devices.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine combustor design incorporating a pipe-shaped member with a heat-resistant glass and a laser oscillator that emits laser light through a condensing lens, focusing it inside the combustor to ignite the fuel and oxidizer mixture, while maintaining the heat-resistant glass at a temperature of about 400°C using a cooling system to prevent overheating and allow for the use of inexpensive heat-resistant materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spark ignition device or laser ignition device is used in CO2 gas turbine combustor, then ignition function is achieved, but the device cannot withstand the high-temperature and high-pressure conditions (pressure ≥10 times conventional, temperature ≥600°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition device is divided into separate functional components: a laser oscillator positioned outside the combustor, optical transmission paths through the casing, and a focusing mechanism inside the combustor. This segmentation allows the sensitive laser oscillator to be protected from high-temperature and high-pressure conditions while still achieving ignition through optical energy transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical components (lens or mirror) serve as intermediaries to transmit laser energy from the oscillator through the combustor casing into the combustion chamber. This intermediary system enables the laser to ignite the fuel-oxidizer mixture without requiring the laser oscillator itself to withstand the harsh combustor environment.
2Reliability
If laser light is focused inside combustor to ignite mixture, then ignition is achieved, but heat-resistant glass and optical components may overheat and fail under high-temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The laser oscillator is extracted from the combustor environment and positioned externally. Only the necessary optical components for focusing are placed inside the combustor, minimizing the volume of heat-sensitive materials exposed to high temperatures while maintaining ignition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed to dynamically focus laser energy only when needed for ignition, rather than continuously exposing components to high temperatures. The laser operates in pulsed or controlled modes, reducing cumulative thermal exposure of optical components.
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
Enables safe and stable ignition of the CO2 gas turbine facility under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, extending the flexibility in material selection and preventing damage to the ignition device, thus ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a laser oscillator that emits laser light through a condensing lens, focusing it inside the combustor to ignite the fuel and oxidizer mixture
Implementation Method 2
maintaining the heat-resistant glass at a temperature of about 400°C using a cooling system to prevent overheating
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor according to an embodiment includes: a cylinder body that demarcates a space between a combustor casing and a combustor liner; a pipe that guides a combustion gas between the combustor liner and the cylinder body; a pipe that guides a combustion gas having a temperature lower than a combustion gas to be guided to the pipe between the combustor casing and the cylinder body; a pipe-shaped member provided so as to penetrate the combustor casing, the cylinder body, and the combustor liner; a heat-resistant glass that is provided in the pipe-shaped member; a condensing lens provided in a manner to face the heat-resistant glass; and a laser oscillator that emits laser light to the inside of the combustor liner through the condensing lens.