Gas Turbine Combustor Flow Device Radial Vane Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combustion dynamics issues in heat engines, such as gas turbine engines, lead to undesired effects like acoustics, vibrations, and pressure oscillations, causing component deterioration and increased maintenance costs, which existing flow devices fail to adequately mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A flow device for combustor assemblies featuring a body with radial vane walls and a fuel injector passage, where a radial flow passage is extended between the vane walls and the fuel injector passage to introduce fluid upstream of the mixer assembly, mitigating unsteady flow features and hydrodynamic instability modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow devices are used for fuel/air mixing, then mixing performance is improved, but combustion dynamics stability deteriorates due to sensitivity to changes
Solution Approach 1:
The flow device is segmented into multiple functional zones including a radial flow passage, axial flow passage, and mixer assembly with separate fuel and air passages. This segmentation allows independent optimization of mixing performance and combustion stability, as each zone can be tuned to perform its specific function without adversely affecting the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A recirculation passage is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the combustion chamber to the mixer assembly. This recirculation passage mediates between the mixing process and combustion dynamics by allowing controlled回流 of combustion products, which stabilizes the combustion process while maintaining effective fuel/air mixing in the primary zones.
2Ease of operation
If existing flow devices are used, then fuel injection is provided, but undesired combustion dynamics occur causing component deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful combustion dynamics into a beneficial effect by introducing a recirculation passage that utilizes the natural combustion process to create a stabilizing feedback mechanism. The recirculated gases, which would otherwise contribute to instability, are redirected to enhance mixing and stabilize the flame, effectively converting the harmful dynamics into a useful control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow device incorporates adjustable parameters including vane angles, passage cross-sections, and recirculation ratios that can be optimized to change the flow characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the device can operate in different regimes that balance fuel injection efficiency with combustion stability, reducing component deterioration while maintaining operational flexibility.
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 improves component durability, reduces maintenance costs, and enhances engine operability by stabilizing combustion dynamics and minimizing adverse effects on fuel/air mixing.
Implementation Method 1
a radial flow passage is extended between the plurality of vane walls and the fuel injector passage
Data Source
AI summary
A flow device for a combustor assembly defining a longitudinal axis around which the flow device is positioned is provided. The flow device includes a body extended around the longitudinal axis. The body includes a first wall and a second wall separated longitudinally from one another along the longitudinal axis. A fuel injector passage is defined through the body coaxial to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of vane walls is extended radially between the first wall and the second wall relative to the longitudinal axis. A radial flow passage is extended between the plurality of vane walls and the fuel injector passage.