Gas Turbine Cooling Fluid Rerouting for Combustor Resonators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, cooling fluid is typically dumped downstream of the combustion zone and cannot participate in the combustion process, leading to higher NOx emissions and reduced engine efficiency, and existing resonator systems often supply equal amounts of cooling fluid to resonators with varying needs, causing inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system that reroutes previously dumped cooling fluid to the resonator section for fluid cooling and purging, and adjusts the amount of cooling fluid supplied to each resonator based on its specific needs, using a conduit arrangement and distributor manifold to optimize fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fluid is dumped downstream of the combustion zone, then the cooling function is achieved, but the fluid cannot participate in the combustion process leading to higher NOx emissions and reduced engine efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers cooling fluid that would otherwise be dumped downstream by routing it back through conduits to the resonator section. This recovered fluid is then utilized for cooling the resonator and participating in the combustion process, thereby reducing NOx emissions while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous utilization of cooling fluid by creating a closed-loop system where fluid is continuously cycled from the combustor, through the resonator, and back to the combustion zone. This continuous circulation allows the fluid to maintain its cooling function while actively participating in combustion to reduce emissions.
2Device complexity
If equal amounts of cooling fluid are supplied to all resonators, then the distribution is simple, but resonators with varying needs experience inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing different amounts of cooling fluid to different resonators based on their specific cooling needs. The system uses selective orifices and adjustable flow control to match the cooling fluid supply to the actual thermal load of each resonator, thereby optimizing cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities to the cooling fluid distribution system, allowing the amount of fluid supplied to each resonator to be adjusted based on real-time operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize cooling efficiency under varying engine operating conditions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If cooling fluid is routed to the resonator section, then the fluid can participate in the combustion process, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the conduit arrangement within the existing combustor and resonator structure, nesting the fluid routing system within the engine's existing components. The conduits are positioned to utilize available spaces within the combustor section, thereby reducing the overall complexity addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the conduit arrangement to serve multiple functions: routing cooling fluid to the resonator, enabling the fluid to participate in combustion, and providing structural support where needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in system 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 allows the cooling fluid to participate in the combustion process, reducing NOx emissions and increasing engine efficiency while ensuring appropriate cooling for all resonators, resulting in a cost-effective and reliable system with improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
cooling fluid, e.g., some the air compressed in the combustor section, may, for example, be conveyed to an internal cavity of the resonator
Implementation Method 2
acoustic pressure oscillations can develop in the combustor section at undesirable frequencies. Such pressure oscillations can damage components in the combustor section. To avoid such damage, one or more acoustic damping devices may be arranged in the combustor section
Implementation Method 3
One commonly used acoustic damping device is a resonator, such as a Helmholtz resonator
Data Source
AI summary
A system effective for dual utilization of cooling fluid in a gas turbine engine is provided. A cooling annulus is subject to a hot-temperature combustion flow received from a combustor basket and includes a liner including a feed channel to receive cooling fluid. A feed manifold is in fluid communication with feed channel to feed cooling fluid to a plurality of conduits in fluid communication with a plurality of exit orifices that is in fluid communication with a plurality of resonators. A distributor manifold includes a plurality of manifold sectors in fluid communication with a plurality of conduits arranged to convey cooling fluid. Some of the plurality of resonators operates with different amounts of cooling fluid. A group of the plurality of exit orifices is configured to supply an amount of cooling fluid appropriate for a resonator in fluid communication with the group of the plurality of exit orifices.