Gas Turbine Combustor Wake Reducer for Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow disturbances caused by structures in gas turbine engines lead to decreased performance due to wake formation and increased pressure drop, which can result in flame holding and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wake reducer system is introduced, featuring upstream and downstream openings and a flow control wall that redirects airflow into the wake region, filling it with higher velocity fluid to reduce wake size and formation, and employing boundary layer blowing to delay flow separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If structures are disposed in the gap between combustion liner and flow sleeve to accommodate components, then various components can be accommodated, but flow disturbances are created and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A wake reducer is introduced as an intermediary component between the structure and the airflow. This wake reducer has a streamlined shape that redirects the compressed air flow around the structure, preventing flow disturbances and wake formation while allowing the structure to remain in place for component accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wake reducer extends in the axial direction of the combustor, creating a three-dimensional flow management solution. By positioning the wake reducer to span across the gap between combustion liner and flow sleeve, it manages flow in multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously, reducing wakes while accommodating structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If structures obstruct airflow through the air passage, then components can be mounted, but wake formation increases and pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wake reducer serves as a mediator that allows structures to remain mounted in the air passage while preventing them from creating harmful wakes and pressure drops. The streamlined design of the wake reducer redirects flow smoothly around the structure, maintaining pressure while enabling component mounting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If structures are placed in the air passage, then components are accommodated, but flow separation increases and mixing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wake reducer acts as an intermediary that preserves flow control precision despite the presence of mounted components. By redirecting flow smoothly around structures, it prevents flow separation and maintains the intended airflow patterns necessary for precise combustion control.
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 wake reducer system enhances gas turbine engine performance by reducing flame holding, decreasing pressure drop, and improving airflow and fuel mixing, while being less expensive, simpler, and more reliable than existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
The wake reducer directs a flow into a wake region downstream of the structure
Implementation Method 2
employing boundary layer blowing to delay flow separation
Implementation Method 3
The wake reducer comprises a flow control wall having a first wall portion and a second wall portion, which wall portions first diverge and then converge toward one another along the airflow from the upstream opening toward the downstream opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
A system includes a gas turbine combustor (16), which includes a combustion liner (42) disposed about a combustion region, a flow sleeve (44) disposed about the combustion liner (42), an air passage (46) between the combustion liner (42) and the flow sleeve (44), and a structure (66) between the combustion liner (42) and the flow sleeve (44). The structure (66) obstructs an airflow (64) through the air passage (46). The gas turbine combustor (16) also includes a wake reducer (71) disposed adjacent the structure (66). The wake reducer (71) directs a flow (78) into a wake region (67) downstream of the structure (66).