Gas Turbine Combustor Zoning for High-Speed Fuel Flashback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combustors face durability issues when using high-temperature fuels due to flame holding or flashback, which are exacerbated by the higher flame speed and burn temperatures of fuels like hydrogen or hydrogen-based fuels, leading to reduced efficiency and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel nozzle and swirler architecture that includes multiple fuel circuits and tailored outlet angles to manage fuel distribution, reducing flame holding and flashback, and enhancing mixing efficiency, thereby improving combustor durability and emission control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-temperature fuels like hydrogen are used to improve combustion efficiency, then combustion temperature increases, but flame holding and flashback occur due to higher flame speed
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor is divided into multiple zones with different flow characteristics. The first zone has a first swirl number and the second zone has a second swirl number, creating segmented combustion regions that control flame propagation separately. This segmentation prevents uncontrolled flashback while maintaining high combustion efficiency in each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the combustor are given different local properties through varying swirl numbers. The first zone has specific swirl characteristics optimized for initial combustion, while the second zone has different swirl characteristics optimized for stable flame holding. This local quality differentiation allows high-temperature fuel combustion without uniform flashback risk throughout the entire combustor.
2Speed
If higher flame speed is achieved with hydrogen fuels to improve burn rate, then combustion speed increases, but flame holding on combustor components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor employs dynamic flow control through multiple zones with different swirl numbers. The first zone creates a dynamic flow pattern suitable for high-speed hydrogen combustion, while the second zone creates a different dynamic pattern that prevents flame attachment to components. This dynamic zoned approach allows high burn rates without the harmful effect of flame holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem is solved by adding a spatial dimension to the combustion control. Instead of uniform combustion throughout the combustor, the invention creates distinct axial zones (first combustion zone and second combustion zone) with different flow characteristics. This dimensional differentiation allows the system to accommodate high flame speed fuels while preventing flame holding through appropriate zone design.
3Device complexity
If conventional single-zone combustor design is used to maintain simplicity, then device complexity remains low, but emission control and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor is segmented into multiple zones with different swirl numbers and flow characteristics. This segmentation enables separate optimization of different combustion processes, allowing for reduced emissions through controlled combustion in each zone while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that builds on conventional combustor designs.
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 solution effectively reduces NOx and carbon emissions while maintaining combustor durability by stabilizing the flame and enhancing fuel distribution, even with high-temperature fuels, thus improving overall engine efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A swirler provides for mixing the fuel with air in order to achieve efficient combustion
Implementation Method 2
The engine utilizes a fuel nozzle to inject the combustible fuel into the combustor
Implementation Method 3
An engine, such as a turbine engine that includes a turbine, is driven by combustion of a combustible fuel within a combustor of the engine
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine (10) can utilize a combustor (36) to combust fuel to drive the engine (10). A fuel nozzle assembly (130) can supply fuel to the combustor (36) for combustion or ignition of the fuel. The fuel nozzle assembly (130) can include a swirler (134) and a fuel nozzle (132) to supply a mixture of fuel and air for combustion, which can supply a primary fuel supply (124) and a secondary fuel supply (170). Increasing efficiency and reducing emission require the use of alternative fuels, which combust at higher temperatures or burn at faster burn speeds than traditional fuels, requiring improved fuel introduction without the occurrence of flame holding or flashback.