Gas Turbine Combustor NOx Water Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine combustor operations face challenges in optimizing NOx water to fuel oil mass flow ratio (ω) to prevent pulsations and emissions, leading to high NOx water consumption and operational costs, especially during varying operating conditions, and existing solutions are not sufficiently reliable or efficient for real-time adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A system that measures NOx emission levels and combustion process variables to rapidly calculate and adjust the ω ratio, using an apparatus capable of measuring NOx emissions within seconds and an optical sensor device with nano/microcrystalline fibers, coupled with a controller that adjusts the fuel feeding system to optimize ω based on real-time data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high margins to pulsation and NOx limits are included in parameter settings to cover expected variations, then reliability is improved, but NOx water consumption increases leading to higher operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously measures actual NOx emissions and pulsation levels, then automatically adjusts the NOx water injection rate to maintain optimal combustion parameters. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for conservative static margins by dynamically adapting to actual operating conditions, thereby reducing NOx water consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static pre-defined ω schedules to dynamic real-time adjustment of the NOx water to fuel oil mass flow ratio. By continuously adapting the injection rate based on measured process variables and emissions, the system optimizes water consumption for each operating condition while maintaining compliance with emission limits and preventing pulsations.
2Ease of operation
If pre-defined NOx water to fuel oil mass flow ratio schedules are used based on combustor mapping, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to varying operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously measures actual NOx emissions, pulsation levels, and process variables, then automatically adjusts the NOx water injection rate in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to varying operating conditions, fuel properties, and ambient parameters without requiring manual reconfiguration or complex operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying the NOx water injection rate based on real-time measurements of emissions and combustion parameters. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual adjustment while maintaining optimal performance across varying operating conditions, effectively combining ease of operation with high adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If automatic ω adjustment is proposed based on measurement of pulsation, material temperature, and flame position, then adaptability is improved, but NOx levels and NOx water consumption remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements direct feedback from NOx emission measurements to control the NOx water injection rate. By using actual emissions data as the primary control signal, the system directly optimizes water consumption to meet emission requirements rather than relying on indirect parameters that require conservative over-injection, thereby reducing NOx water consumption while maintaining compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system directly adjusts the NOx water to fuel oil mass flow ratio (ω) parameter based on real-time NOx emission measurements and process variables. This direct parameter control enables precise optimization of water injection to achieve the minimum necessary for compliance, eliminating the need for excessive injection that occurs with indirect control methods.
4Adaptability or versatility
If on site adjustment of the ω schedule is performed, then adaptability to specific conditions is improved, but commissioning and outage duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-adjustment during operation based on real-time measurements of NOx emissions and process variables. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual on-site adjustment of ω schedules during commissioning or outages, while still achieving site-specific optimization through adaptive control that learns and responds to actual operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is pre-configured with the capability to automatically adapt to site-specific conditions through real-time measurements and adaptive control algorithms. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual adjustment during commissioning, as the system will automatically optimize performance for the specific installation conditions during initial operation.
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 rapid and precise control of NOx emissions and pulsations, reducing NOx water consumption and operational costs by ensuring compliance with emission regulations and maintaining engine reliability through real-time adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor device with nano/microcrystalline fibers
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention generally relates to the field of combustion technology related to gas turbines. More in particular, the present invention refers to a system and a method for operating a combustion device. Advantageously, by means of the system and method according to the invention, required measurements may be effected fast enough to ensure an optimum control of parameter ω, defined as a ratio between NOx water mass and fuel oil flows, the measurements being based not only on process variables but, most importantly, on NOx levels.