Compressor Discharge System with Multi-Stage Restrictor Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The release of highly pressurized compressed air from gas turbines can cause vibrations due to the rapid dissipation of energy, leading to high cycle fatigue stress in venting system components, particularly during startup, low heating fuel operation, or testing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating multiple stage restrictor plates with strategically arranged apertures to gradually reduce the pressure of compressed air before release, mitigating acoustical energy and thereby minimizing vibrations and fatigue in the discharge lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If compressed air is released directly to atmospheric pressure, then the venting system is simple in structure, but high level energy dissipation causes vibrations and high cycle fatigue stress
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system is segmented into multiple stages using a series of restrictor plates with progressively larger apertures. This multi-stage approach divides the single large pressure drop into several smaller steps, reducing energy dissipation and vibrations at each stage while maintaining the overall pressure reduction function.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple restrictor plates with strategically arranged apertures are introduced as intermediary elements between the high-pressure compressed air source and the atmospheric environment. These intermediaries gradually reduce pressure and dissipate energy in controlled steps, preventing direct high-energy release that causes vibrations.
2Reliability
If multiple stage restrictor plates are used to gradually reduce pressure, then vibrations and fatigue stress are reduced, but the venting system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex pressure reduction task is segmented into multiple manageable stages, each handled by a restrictor plate with specific aperture sizes. This segmentation makes the system design systematic and allows each component to be optimized for its specific pressure reduction stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture size parameter is systematically changed across multiple restrictor plates, creating a gradient from small to large apertures. This parameter progression allows controlled pressure reduction at each stage, achieving the desired vibration reduction while maintaining design simplicity through a systematic pattern.
3Productivity
If large quantity of highly pressurized compressed air is released rapidly, then the discharge rate is high, but energy dissipation in limited size system causes vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The rapid discharge process is segmented into multiple controlled stages through successive restrictor plates. Each stage allows a portion of the compressed air to expand and dissipate energy gradually, maintaining high overall discharge rate while preventing concentrated energy release that causes vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed air flow is distributed periodically across multiple restrictor plates in sequence, creating a staged expansion process. This periodic action through multiple stages allows controlled energy dissipation while maintaining continuous high discharge rate.
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 system effectively reduces high cycle fatigue along the discharge lines by gradually releasing the compressed air's energy, enhancing the mechanical life and stability of the venting system components.
Implementation Method 1
gradually reduce the pressure of compressed air before release
Implementation Method 2
multiple stage restrictor plates with strategically arranged apertures to gradually reduce the pressure
Implementation Method 3
mitigating acoustical energy and thereby minimizing vibrations and fatigue
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A system for discharging compressed air from a compressor 16 includes an air distribution manifold 104 that is in fluid communication with the compressor via a conduit 102 and at least one discharge line 106 that is in fluid communication with the air distribution manifold. The discharge line defines a flow path from the air distribution manifold to atmosphere. The discharge line comprises a coupling pipe 110 that is coupled to the air distribution manifold, a sparger section 108 that is disposed downstream from the coupling pipe and at least one restrictor plate 114 that is disposed between the coupling pipe and the sparger section within the flow path. The restrictor plate comprises at least one aperture that provides a pressure drop of the compressed air between the air distribution manifold and the sparger section.