Gas Turbine Combustor Replacement Using Coupling Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Replacing a combustor in a gas turbine plant with a different fuel supply system is costly and labor-intensive, as it often requires modifying the entire fuel supply system.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the separation of a first combustor with multiple nozzle systems from its fuel supply systems, attaching a second combustor with fewer nozzle systems, and using coupling pipes to connect the fuel supply systems to the same nozzle system, allowing for efficient replacement without altering the manifold or requiring extensive reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a combustor is replaced with a combustor driven in a different fuel supply system, then the combustor can be updated or upgraded, but the fuel supply system must also be replaced, leading to increased work and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply system is segmented into multiple independent fuel supply systems, each capable of supplying fuel to the combustor. This allows the combustor to be replaced without replacing the entire fuel supply system, as the new combustor can be connected to existing fuel supply systems or a combination of them.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel supply systems are designed to be universal, with each system capable of supplying fuel to the combustor independently. This multi-functionality allows any of the fuel supply systems to serve the combustor, enabling flexible replacement and configuration without being locked into a specific system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a combustor is replaced with a combustor driven in a different fuel supply system, then the combustor can be updated or upgraded, but the work and cost increase due to system replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply systems are pre-configured with multiple independent pathways and coupling mechanisms in place before combustor replacement is needed. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid combustor swap without requiring extensive reconfiguration or installation work, significantly reducing replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel supply system is divided into modular, independent segments that can be easily connected and disconnected. This segmentation enables the combustor to be replaced by simply reconnecting fuel supply lines to different segments, rather than replacing the entire fuel supply infrastructure.
3Reliability
If multiple fuel supply systems are connected to the same nozzle system, then fuel supply stability is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fuel supply systems are merged to supply the same nozzle system, creating redundant fuel supply pathways. This merging ensures that if one fuel supply system fails or requires maintenance, other systems can continue to supply fuel, maintaining overall fuel supply stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for dynamic adjustment of fuel supply parameters (such as flow rate, pressure, or which specific fuel supply system is active) to optimize performance and maintain stability. By changing operational parameters rather than physical configuration, the system maintains reliability without permanently increasing 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
This approach reduces the work and cost associated with combustor replacement by maintaining fuel supply stability and reusing existing pipes, enabling efficient replacement using existing facilities while ensuring stable combustion.
Implementation Method 1
providing communication between the fuel supply systems connected to the same nozzle system of the second combustor by a coupling pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor replacement method and a gas turbine plant capable of efficiently replacing a combustor using an existing facility. The combustor replacement method includes a step of separating, from a plurality of fuel supply systems, a first combustor that includes a plurality of nozzle systems connected to any of the plurality of fuel supply systems and supplied with fuel from the connected fuel supply systems, and removing the first combustor from a gas turbine plant. The method includes a step of attaching a second combustor that includes fewer nozzle systems than the first combustor to the gas turbine plant, and a step of providing communication between the fuel supply systems connected to the same nozzle system of the second combustor by a coupling pipe, and coupling the fuel supply systems and the second combustor.