Combustor Purge Valve Sequence to Prevent Fluid Overshoot
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine fuel systems, simultaneous opening or premature opening of upstream control valves can lead to fluid overshoot during purging, potentially damaging the combustor nozzles due to inherent dynamic response characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controller-managed sequence of opening a first isolation valve and then a control valve within the fluid supply line to regulate fluid flow to the combustor nozzles, ensuring a controlled and reduced flow rate to prevent overshoot, with additional regulation by a second isolation valve for the fuel manifold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple valves are opened simultaneously or upstream valve is opened before downstream valve, then the purging process is faster, but fluid overshoot occurs due to dynamic response characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The downstream isolation valve is opened before the upstream control valve during the purging sequence. This preliminary action ensures that the downstream valve is ready to regulate flow immediately when the upstream valve opens, preventing fluid overshoot while maintaining efficient purging speed.
2Speed
If upstream control valve is opened before downstream isolation valve, then the fluid flow starts immediately, but the flow rate cannot be properly regulated
Solution Approach 1:
The downstream isolation valve is opened in advance before the upstream control valve. This preliminary positioning of the downstream valve ensures that when fluid flow is initiated, the downstream valve is already in place to properly regulate the flow rate, combining fast initiation with effective regulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of purging a combustor is provided. The method includes opening an isolation valve configured to regulate a flow rate of a fluid sent to at least one fuel nozzle of a combustor. The method also includes opening a control valve located upstream of the isolation valve after opening the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve and the control valve are located within a fluid supply line.