Turbine Combustor Quench Insert Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern gas turbine combustors face challenges in achieving low NOx emissions and maintaining adequate cooling for combustor components, particularly in the design of the quench zone geometry of rich burn, quick quench, lean burn (RQL) combustors.
Innovation Solution
The combustor design incorporates an insert with a tubular body portion extending through the liner, featuring a flared inlet portion and shoulder to secure the insert without welding, and laser-drilled cooling holes to direct cooling air to the tip, ensuring effective air flow and cooling without compromising thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If quench zone geometry is designed to promote low NOx emissions, then NOx emissions are reduced, but cooling for combustor components is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The air admission hole is segmented into multiple smaller holes arranged in a circular pattern, with each hole serving as an independent cooling channel. This segmentation allows optimized air distribution to cool the insert tip effectively while maintaining overall quench zone performance for NOx reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary component between the combustion chamber and the liner. It receives cooling air through the multiple holes in the liner and delivers it to the tip, serving as a thermal management mediator that protects the combustion zone while maintaining component cooling.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If quench zone geometry is modified to reduce NOx, then emissions decrease, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a flow distribution device, and a cooling component. The multiple holes in the liner serve both as air admission channels for combustion and as cooling air channels, reducing overall device complexity while achieving NOx reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry of the insert and the arrangement of cooling holes are optimized parameters that can be adjusted to achieve the desired balance between NOx reduction and cooling requirements. The circular arrangement of multiple holes provides a scalable parameter solution.
3Temperature
If cooling air flow is increased to maintain component cooling, then cooling effectiveness improves, but cooling air requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling air is directed locally to the insert tip where it is most needed, rather than providing uniform cooling throughout the combustor. The multiple holes are strategically positioned to deliver cooling air precisely where thermal management is critical, improving cooling effectiveness while minimizing total cooling air consumption.
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 configuration enhances operability, reduces NOx emissions, and maintains component cooling, improving the overall performance and durability of the combustor while minimizing cooling air requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling hole defined in the body portion and configured to direct a first portion of the air flow toward the tip as cooling air
Data Source
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AI summary
A combustor is provided for a turbine engine. The combustor includes a first liner (210) having a first hot side (352) and a first cold side (350); a second liner having a second hot side and a second cold side, the second hot side and the first hot side forming a combustion chamber (214) therebetween. The combustion chamber is configured to receive an air-fuel mixture for combustion therein. The combustor further includes an insert (310) having a body portion (312) extending through the first liner and terminating at a tip (390), the body portion configured to direct air flow into the combustion chamber. The insert further includes a cooling hole (370) defined in the body portion and configured to direct a first portion of the air flow toward the tip as cooling air (372).