Turbomachine Combustor Liner Cooling via Fluid Delivery Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The erosion of turbomachine combustor liners due to exposure to hot gases leads to reduced operational life and requires costly maintenance, particularly in high-temperature zones adjacent to combustor nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A turbomachine combustor assembly that includes a combustor body with a combustor liner defining a combustion chamber and a fluid delivery nozzle delivering a non-combustible fluid into the nozzles and the chamber, enhancing cooling and combustion efficiency, and additional non-combustible fluid outlets in the liner for further cooling and reduced emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the combustor liner is exposed to hot gases for combustion operation, then combustion efficiency is improved, but the liner erodes and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling fluid is delivered to the combustor nozzles before the hot gases contact the liner, creating a protective cooling effect that prevents erosion while maintaining combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid acts as an intermediary substance between the hot combustion gases and the combustor liner, absorbing heat and protecting the liner from direct exposure to erosive hot gases
2Duration of action of stationary object
If cooling fluid is delivered into combustor nozzles, then liner erosion is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid delivery system serves multiple functions: it cools the combustor liner, protects against erosion, and can be integrated with existing combustor structures, reducing overall system complexity despite the added cooling function
Solution Approach 2:
The combustor nozzles may incorporate porous structures that allow cooling fluid to pass through, providing cooling protection while maintaining the structural integrity and flow characteristics of the nozzle system
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 solution extends the service life of the combustor liner, reduces maintenance costs, and improves combustion efficiency, leading to lower emissions and increased operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid delivery nozzle is configured to deliver a non-combustible fluid into the at least one of the plurality of combustor nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A turbomachine combustor assembly includes a combustor body, and a combustor liner arranged within the combustor body. The combustor liner defines a combustion chamber having a head end and a discharge end. A plurality of combustor nozzles are arranged in an annular array at the head end of the combustion chamber, and a fluid delivery nozzle is arranged substantially centrally within the annular array at the head end of the combustion chamber. The fluid delivery nozzle includes a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through a wall portion. The wall portion includes at least one combustion chamber outlet. The fluid delivery nozzle is configured to deliver a non-combustible fluid into the at least one of the plurality of combustor nozzles and the combustion chamber.