Combustor Pipe Cooling Segmentation for Gas Turbine Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine combustors face efficiency losses due to cooling air being sprayed into the combustion gas flow path, which reduces energy generation while attempting to prevent temperature rises in the combustor pipe.
Innovation Solution
A combustor pipe design featuring an inner and outer pipe with a cooling medium flow path and a cooling promoting structure on the outer pipe, which increases cooling efficiency without reducing gas turbine efficiency by directing the cooling medium away from the combustion gas flow path and enhancing contact with the inner pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling air is sprayed toward the vane shroud from the transition piece, then the gap part between the transition piece and vane shroud is protected from burnout, but the cooling air is sprayed into the combustion gas flow path causing gas turbine efficiency to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate segments: the first cooling flow path for cooling the transition piece and the second cooling flow path for cooling the vane shroud. This segmentation allows cooling media to be directed to specific locations without mixing with the combustion gas flow path, thereby protecting against burnout while maintaining gas turbine efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling medium (intermediary substance) is introduced as a mediator between the hot surfaces and the combustion gas. The cooling medium flows through dedicated cooling flow paths that act as intermediaries, transferring heat away from critical surfaces without the cooling medium itself contacting or contaminating the combustion gas flow path.
2Temperature
If cooling medium is used to cool the combustor pipe, then temperature rise is suppressed, but cooling medium may mix with combustion gas reducing energy extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling flow paths are segmented into distinct channels (first cooling flow path inside the transition piece wall, second cooling flow path between transition piece and vane shroud) that are physically separated from the combustion gas flow path. This segmentation ensures temperature suppression through effective cooling while preventing any mixing between cooling medium and combustion gas, thereby preserving energy extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful aspect (cooling medium mixing with combustion gas) is extracted and eliminated by designing separate, dedicated cooling flow paths. The cooling function is extracted and performed through controlled channels that prevent contact between cooling medium and combustion gas, thus achieving temperature control without energy loss from mixing.
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 design effectively cools the combustor pipe without reducing gas turbine efficiency, maintaining energy extraction and reliability by optimizing the cooling medium flow to suppress temperature increases and prevent cooling medium mixing with combustion gas.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling flow path through which a cooling medium passes being formed inside a wall that forms the flow path
Implementation Method 2
a second cooling flow path through which a cooling medium passes and which is connected to the first cooling flow path near the outlet of the combustor pipe is formed between an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe and an inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe
Implementation Method 3
a cooling promoting structure (cooling promoter) is formed on the outer pipe, inside the second cooling flow path near the first cooling flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor pipe is linked to a vane shroud in which a vane is provided, and includes an inlet, an outlet, an inner pipe of which an inner space is a flow path for passing a combustion gas, a first cooling flow path through which a cooling medium passes being formed inside a wall that forms the flow path; and an outer pipe on an outer circumference of the inner pipe and secured to the inner pipe. A second cooling flow path through which a cooling medium passes and which is connected to the first cooling flow path near the outlet of the combustor pipe is formed between an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe and an inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe, and a cooling promoting structure is formed on the outer pipe, inside the second cooling flow path near the first cooling flow path.