Dual-orifice atomizer nozzle for reducing NOx and thermal stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-fuel nozzles for gas turbine engines inject non-atomized water, which can cause thermal distress on combustor liner walls, leading to shortened lifespan and increased NOx emissions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional fuel nozzle with a dual-orifice atomizer that forms intersecting atomized spray cones, allowing for efficient atomization of water and fuel, reducing NOx emissions while minimizing water consumption and thermal stress on liner walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If non-atomized water is injected into the combustor, then water injection for NOx reduction is achieved, but thermal distress on liner walls increases and water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of water injection from non-atomized liquid to atomized spray. The dual-orifice atomizer creates fine water droplets with large surface area, which evaporates quickly and reduces thermal distress on liner walls while maintaining effectiveness in reducing NOx emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The water injection system is segmented into multiple small droplets through the dual-orifice atomizer rather than injecting as a single liquid stream. This segmentation increases the surface area to volume ratio, enabling faster evaporation and reducing the thermal impact on combustor liner walls
2Object-generated harmful factors
If non-atomized water is injected into the combustor, then water injection for NOx reduction is achieved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of water injection from non-atomized liquid to atomized spray. The dual-orifice atomizer creates fine water droplets with large surface area, which evaporates quickly and reduces thermal distress on liner walls while maintaining effectiveness in reducing NOx emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The water injection system is segmented into multiple small droplets through the dual-orifice atomizer rather than injecting as a single liquid stream. This segmentation increases the surface area to volume ratio, enabling faster evaporation and reducing the thermal impact on combustor liner walls
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-fuel capability is provided, then operational versatility is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel nozzle is designed with multi-functionality to burn liquid fuel, gaseous fuel, or both simultaneously. The dual-orifice atomizer and configurable fluid circuits enable the same nozzle structure to handle different fuel types and injection modes (water injection, fuel injection, or combination), reducing the need for multiple specialized nozzles
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle incorporates dynamic configurability through selectable fluid circuits that can be activated or deactivated based on operating conditions. The system can dynamically switch between liquid fuel mode, gaseous fuel mode, water injection mode, or combined modes, adapting to different operational requirements
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 nozzle effectively reduces NOx emissions, extends the lifespan of combustor liner walls, and enhances operational versatility by optimizing atomization and combustion performance.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-functional fuel nozzle with a dual-orifice atomizer that forms intersecting atomized spray cones
Implementation Method 2
injecting water, via the fuel injecting nozzle, into the combustor along with the fuel
Implementation Method 3
A multi-functional fuel nozzle with a dual-orifice atomizer configured to form intersecting atomized spray cones
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A multi-functional fuel nozzle (10) for a combustion turbine engine is provided. An annular fuel-injecting lance (12) may include a first fluid circuit (14) and a second fluid circuit (16). One of the first and second fluid circuits during a liquid fuel operating mode of the combustion turbine engine may convey a liquid fuel. The other of the first and second fluid circuits may convey a selectable non-fuel fluid. An atomizer (30) is disposed at the downstream end of the lance. The atomizer may have a first ejection orifice (32) responsive to the first fluid circuit to form a first atomized ejection cone (34), and a second ejection orifice (36) responsive to the second fluid circuit to form a second atomized ejection cone (38). The first and second ejection cones (34, 38) formed with the atomizer may be concentric cones that intersect with one another over a predefined angular range.