Gas Turbine Combustor Nozzle Fuel Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Abnormal combustion phenomena such as vortex core flashback frequently occur in gas turbines with swirling flows, leading to potential thermal damage to the combustor nozzle due to flame adherence, which needs to be inhibited.
Innovation Solution
A combustor design featuring a nozzle with a shaft body, swirl vanes, and temperature sensors to control fuel flow rates through regulating valves, reducing fuel injection when abnormal combustion conditions are detected to prevent thermal damage, and optionally using a temperature sensor at the nozzle's distal end to monitor temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If swirling flow is applied to improve combustion efficiency and raise turbine inlet temperature, then combustion efficiency is improved, but vortex core flashback occurs frequently causing thermal damage to the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injection system is segmented into multiple independent fuel flow paths (first fuel flow path, second fuel flow path, third fuel flow path) with separate regulating valves. This segmentation allows selective control of fuel injection from different locations, enabling the system to respond to abnormal combustion conditions by adjusting specific fuel paths while maintaining overall combustion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor is installed at the distal end of the nozzle to detect temperature changes in real-time. The control device receives temperature signals and automatically adjusts fuel flow rates through the regulating valves based on the detected temperature, forming a closed-loop feedback system that prevents thermal damage while maintaining efficient combustion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fuel flow rate is increased to maintain combustion stability, then combustion stability is improved, but thermal damage risk increases when abnormal combustion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injection system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one with multiple regulating valves that can independently adjust fuel flow rates. When abnormal combustion is detected via temperature sensor, the control device dynamically reduces fuel flow through specific paths (e.g., closing the first regulating valve) to lower thermal load, while maintaining combustion stability through coordinated adjustment of other fuel paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (fuel flow rates) dynamically based on combustion conditions. By adjusting the opening degrees of regulating valves in response to temperature sensor signals, the system modifies fuel injection parameters to prevent thermal damage while maintaining stable combustion, demonstrating parameter-based adaptive control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If temperature monitoring and control systems are added to prevent thermal damage, then thermal damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to be relatively simple and self-regulating. The temperature sensor directly feeds signals to the control device, which automatically adjusts the regulating valves without requiring complex algorithms or external intervention. This self-service approach enables thermal damage prevention while minimizing added system complexity.
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
Immediate reduction in fuel concentration downstream of the nozzle prevents thermal damage during abnormal combustion events, effectively mitigating the risk of nozzle damage.
Implementation Method 1
a swirl vane for swirling a fluid in the burner cylinder around the burner axis
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor which detects a temperature on a downstream side of the swirl vane
Implementation Method 3
a first regulating valve provided in the first fuel flow path and configured to regulate a flow rate of the fuel flowing through the first fuel flow path
Implementation Method 4
a combustor which generates a high temperature and high pressure combustion gas by combustion of fuel in the compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor includes: a nozzle main body having a shaft body and a swirl vane; a first fuel flow path configured to supply fuel to a first fuel injection hole defined in the nozzle main body; a second fuel flow path configured to supply fuel to a second fuel injection hole defined in the nozzle main body on a radial outer side of the first fuel injection hole; a first regulating valve provided in the first fuel flow path and configured to regulate a flow rate of the fuel in the first fuel flow path; a temperature sensor-configured to detect a temperature on a downstream side of the swirl vane; and a control device configured to control the first regulating valve so that the flow rate of the fuel in the first fuel flow path is lowered when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor satisfies a predetermined condition.