Dual Separator Pump Fuel Oxygen Conversion Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel oxygen conversion systems in gas turbine engines increase the mechanical energy required to operate the fuel delivery system, leading to potential coking issues due to improper fuel heating, which can clog components.
Innovation Solution
A fuel delivery system incorporating a fuel oxygen conversion unit with a dual separator pump that mixes liquid fuel with a stripping gas, separates the mixture into a stripping gas flow and a low-oxygen liquid fuel flow, and provides a significant pressure rise to the liquid fuel, reducing oxygen content and minimizing mechanical energy draw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fuel oxygen conversion system is implemented to reduce oxygen content and prevent coking, then fuel reliability is improved, but the mechanical energy required to operate the fuel delivery system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the separator pump and booster pump functions into a single dual separator pump assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate pumps, reducing the total mechanical energy required while maintaining both separation and pressure boost functions necessary for fuel oxygen conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The dual separator pump performs multiple functions simultaneously: it separates the fuel-gas mixture into liquid fuel and stripping gas, and it provides the necessary pressure boost for fuel delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the overall mechanical energy draw by consolidating pump operations
2Power
If the fuel is heated to increase combustion efficiency, then power output is improved, but the fuel may coke and clog fuel system components
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary oxygen removal from the fuel before heating and combustion. By reducing the oxygen content in advance through the fuel oxygen conversion system, the fuel is conditioned to resist coking even when heated to high temperatures for improved combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the fuel by reducing oxygen content through stripping with inert gas. This parameter change transforms the fuel properties to prevent coking while maintaining combustibility, allowing safe heating for power generation
3Use of energy by moving object
If a dual separator pump is used to provide pressure rise and reduce mechanical energy draw, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual separator pump integrates separator and booster pump functions into a single device, reducing the number of components rather than increasing them. This merger simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of reduced mechanical energy draw
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 system effectively reduces the oxygen content in fuel, preventing coking while maintaining efficient pressure rise, thus reducing the mechanical energy required and ensuring reliable operation of the fuel delivery system.
Implementation Method 1
a contactor in fluid communication with the stripping gas line and the draw pump for forming a fuel/gas mixture
Implementation Method 2
a dual separator pump in fluid communication with the contactor for receiving the fuel/gas mixture and separating the fuel/gas mixture into a stripping gas flow and the liquid fuel flow
Implementation Method 3
the dual separator pump of the fuel oxygen conversion unit provides substantially all of a pressure rise of the fuel flow within the fuel delivery system downstream of the draw pump and upstream of the main fuel pump
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine includes a fuel tank; a draw pump downstream of the fuel tank for generating a liquid fuel flow from the fuel tank; a main fuel pump downstream of the draw pump; and a fuel oxygen conversion unit downstream of the draw pump and upstream of the main fuel pump. The fuel oxygen conversion unit includes a stripping gas line; a contactor in fluid communication with the stripping gas line and the draw pump for forming a fuel/gas mixture; and a dual separator pump in fluid communication with the contactor for receiving the fuel/gas mixture and separating the fuel/gas mixture into a stripping gas flow and the liquid fuel flow at a location upstream of the main fuel pump.