Deflector Wall Combustor for Emissions and Durability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine combustors face challenges in achieving both improved structural durability and reduced emissions, as cooling air used to protect combustor walls from high temperatures adversely affects emissions by altering the residence time and temperature profile of combustion gases.
Innovation Solution
A combustor assembly with a deflector wall featuring a plurality of openings arranged at specific angles and radii to control the flow of oxidizer into the combustion chamber, minimizing interaction with the primary combustion zone flame structure and reducing angular momentum, thereby enhancing structural durability and emissions output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling air is used to protect combustor walls from high temperatures, then structural durability is improved, but emissions are adversely affected due to changes in residence time and temperature profile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different cooling strategies to different regions of the combustor. The deflector wall receives direct impingement cooling from oxidizer, while the primary combustion zone is protected from cooling air intrusion. This localized approach maintains wall durability where needed without adversely affecting the combustion chemistry and emissions characteristics in the primary combustion zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustor is segmented into distinct functional zones: a primary combustion zone where fuel oxidizes, and a secondary region where cooling air mixes with combustion products. The deflector wall creates a physical barrier that segments the flow paths, allowing independent optimization of each zone's function without compromising the other.
2Temperature
If cooling air is mixed with combustion products, then combustor wall temperature is reduced, but residence time and temperature profile of combustion gases are altered adversely
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector wall acts as an intermediary structure that separates the cooling air flow from the combustion gas flow. It allows thermal protection of the wall through oxidizer impingement while preventing cooling air from mixing with combustion products, thereby maintaining the intended residence time and temperature profile of the combustion gases.
3Reliability
If oxidizer flow is directed into the combustion chamber through the deflector wall, then cooling effect is provided, but disruption of primary combustion zone flame structure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides cooling locally at the deflector wall through oxidizer impingement, while the primary combustion zone flame structure remains undisturbed. The geometric arrangement of openings and the deflector wall configuration ensure that cooling air is delivered only where structural protection is needed, not into the combustion zone.
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 improves structural durability and reduces emissions by minimizing the disruption of the primary combustion zone flame structure, specifically decreasing the formation of NOx, while maintaining efficient cooling of the combustor walls.
Implementation Method 1
cooling air used within a gas turbine engine may provide structural durability for combustor walls
Implementation Method 2
igniting a fuel-oxidizer mixture at a combustion chamber to produce combustion gases
Implementation Method 3
combustion emissions are in part a function of a temperature of combustion products
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor assembly comprising a deflector wall in which a plurality of openings is defined through the deflector wall and around the fuel nozzle opening. The plurality of openings defines a first set of openings at a first radius, a second set of openings at or greater than a second radius greater than the first radius, and a third set of openings at one or more of a third radius between the first radius and the second radius. The first set of openings defines one or more of a first angle relative to the radial direction between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 100 degrees. The second set of openings defines one or more of a second angle between approximately zero and approximately 30 degrees. The third set of openings defines one or more of a third angle between the first angle and the second angle.