Fuel Gas Compressor Thrust Balancing Heating for Dust Collector Ice Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Power plants using low-heating-value gases as fuel face challenges in cold regions where ice formation on dust collectors can lead to abnormal discharge and damage, requiring reduced gas turbine output to increase fuel gas temperature, limiting power generation.

Innovation Solution

The power plant employs the thrust-balancing gas from the fuel gas compressor to heat the fuel gas destined for the dust collection device using a nozzle, preventing ice formation and maintaining compressor efficiency without reducing gas turbine output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the gas turbine is operated at rated output, then power generation is maximized, but the fuel gas temperature at the dust collector becomes too low causing ice formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation levelVSAvoidfuel gas temperature at dust collector
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel gas flow is segmented into two paths: one path goes through the fuel gas cooler to the dust collector, while another path uses the high-temperature fuel gas from the compressor discharge to heat the cooled fuel gas before it reaches the dust collector. This segmentation allows independent control of temperature and flow distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A heating line with a nozzle is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel gas cooler and the dust collector. This heating line receives high-temperature fuel gas from the compressor discharge and injects it into the cooled fuel gas stream to raise its temperature, preventing ice formation without reducing turbine output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If fuel gas is cooled in the fuel gas cooler, then the temperature is reduced to prevent ice formation, but the power generation level is limited due to reduced output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel gas temperatureVSAvoidpower generation level
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the temperature parameter of the fuel gas by introducing a heating mechanism that raises the temperature of cooled fuel gas before it reaches the dust collector. This allows the system to operate at lower temperatures during cooling while maintaining sufficient temperature to prevent ice formation, thereby maintaining power generation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The high-temperature fuel gas from the compressor discharge is continuously used to heat the cooled fuel gas stream, ensuring continuous temperature maintenance without interrupting the fuel gas flow or reducing turbine output. This continuous heating action maintains both cooling effectiveness and power generation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Temperature

If the output of the gas turbine is reduced, then the fuel gas temperature can be increased, but the power generation level is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel gas temperatureVSAvoidpower generation level
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the high-temperature fuel gas from the compressor discharge (which would otherwise be wasted or used only for thrust balancing) to heat the cooled fuel gas stream. This self-service approach allows the system to maintain temperature without requiring external heating sources or reducing turbine output, as the fuel gas itself provides the heating energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers the high-temperature fuel gas from the compressor discharge that would otherwise be discarded or used only for generating thrust balancing force. This recovered high-temperature gas is utilized to heat the cooled fuel gas, converting a waste product into a useful heating medium and eliminating the need to reduce turbine output for temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 allows for increased fuel gas temperature at the dust collection device without reducing gas turbine output, preventing ice formation and maintaining compressor efficiency across a wider temperature range, simplifying the system and minimizing pressure loss.

Implementation Method 1

a fuel gas compressor (12) that compresses the fuel gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrust balancing:

Implementation Method 2

increasing the temperature of (heating) the fuel gas that is to be guided to the dust collection device (25) with the fuel gas (BFG) supplied from the fuel gas cooler (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2647810B1Power plant
Publication Date: 2015.08.12 MITSUBISHI HITACHIPOWER SYST LTD
  • EP2647810B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2647810B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An electric power generation plant (10) provided with: a gas turbine (11) using fuel gas as the fuel; a fuel gas cooler (13) for cooling, by means of cooling water, fuel gas which is pressurized by a fuel gas compressor (12) and recirculated; and a dust collection device (25) for separating and removing impurities from fuel gas led to the fuel gas compressor (12). The electric power generation plant is also provided with a heating means (51) for heating fuel gas, which is led to the dust collection device (25), using fuel gas utilized to cause an anti-thrust force to act on the rotor of the fuel gas compressor (12).