Curved Combustor Nozzle for Uniform Airflow and Pre-mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing combustor nozzle assemblies in gas turbines have a non-uniform air flow due to a flat internal shape, require a separate quaternary nozzle for pre-mixing, increasing volume and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A combustor nozzle assembly with a curved surface and fuel spray holes at the corner of the nozzle casing, along with a fuel chamber, which reduces volume, improves air flow uniformity, and enhances pre-mixing by removing the quaternary nozzle, and includes vortex projections to generate vortices for better mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flat internal shape is used in the nozzle casing, then the structure is simple, but the air flow uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle casing internal shape is changed from flat to curved, specifically forming a curved surface that guides compressed air to flow uniformly toward the fuel spray hole. This curvature design eliminates dead zones and improves air flow distribution without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
2Manufacturing precision
If a quaternary nozzle is added for pre-mixing, then the pre-mixing effect is improved, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The quaternary nozzle and main nozzle are merged into a single integrated nozzle structure. The nozzle body incorporates both the pre-mixing chamber and the main spray hole, eliminating the need for separate quaternary nozzle components while maintaining effective pre-mixing of fuel and compressed air.
Solution Approach 2:
The main nozzle is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the pre-mixing chamber (quaternary nozzle function) and the main spray nozzle. The internal structure of the main nozzle includes a curved surface and fuel spray hole configuration that enables effective pre-mixing, combining what were previously separate components into one multi-functional element.
3Manufacturing precision
If a quaternary nozzle and fuel chamber are added, then the pre-mixing capability is improved, but the volume and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel chamber and quaternary nozzle are merged with the main nozzle body. The main nozzle internally defines the fuel chamber space and incorporates the pre-mixing flow paths, eliminating the need for separate quaternary nozzle and fuel chamber components. This integration reduces overall assembly volume while maintaining pre-mixing capability.
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 reduces manufacturing costs, improves air flow uniformity, and enhances the pre-mixing effect, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective gas turbine operation.
Implementation Method 1
a curved surface at a corner continuing from an inner surface of the nozzle casing that is perpendicular to the direction of the compressed air
Implementation Method 2
a fuel spray hole formed at the curved surface
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor nozzle assembly and a gas turbine having the combustor nozzle assembly includes a nozzle casing for receiving compressed air from a compressor, a curved surface at a corner continuing from a surface of the inner surface thereof that is perpendicular to the direction of the compressed air, a fuel spray hole formed at the curved surface, and a fuel chamber having a predetermined volume and formed inside the curved surface to supply fuel into the nozzle casing through the fuel spray hole.