Electrostatic Gas Turbine Air Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filtration systems for gas turbine air intakes face challenges in maintaining air flow rate and pressure drop due to particulate matter accumulation, and existing electrostatic precipitators are inefficient in collecting fine dust particles.
Innovation Solution
An air filtration system with electrostatic electrodes producing a corona discharge between filter elements, which polarizes incoming dust, creating a more porous dust cake and increasing permeability, and applying an electrical field to enhance collection efficiency and reduce pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fabric filtration is used to remove particulate matter, then dust collection is achieved, but pressure drop increases and flow rate decreases due to particulate accumulation on filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical fabric filtration system with an electrostatic precipitation system. Instead of using physical filter media that clog with particulate accumulation, the invention uses electrostatic fields to charge and collect particles on electrode surfaces, eliminating the mechanical filtration mechanism that causes pressure drop and flow rate reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by applying high voltage electric fields (typically 10-50 kV) to create corona discharge and electrostatic precipitation. This parameter change transforms the dust collection mechanism from mechanical interception to electrostatic attraction, allowing particles to be collected without blocking flow paths and maintaining consistent pressure drop characteristics.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional electrostatic precipitators are used to separate particulate matter, then dust collection is achieved, but fine dust particle collection efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple electrode configurations arranged in series and parallel, creating multi-dimensional electrostatic fields. The system uses both discharge electrodes (corona wires) and collecting electrodes (plates or tubes) arranged to create overlapping electric field zones, enhancing the probability of fine particle capture through multiple charging and collection opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite electrode structures combining different materials with complementary properties. Discharge electrodes use materials with high electrical conductivity and corona inception characteristics (such as stainless steel or tungsten), while collecting electrodes use materials optimized for particle adhesion and ease of cleaning, creating a composite system that enhances fine particle collection efficiency.
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 achieves a two-order magnitude reduction in dust exiting the plenum, particularly effective for fine dust, with improved gas flow and reduced pressure drop, while maintaining low power consumption and meeting industry standards like the ARAMCO 200 hour test.
Implementation Method 1
electrodes positioned proximate the plurality of filter elements, where the electrodes are coupled to a power source which supplies a voltage to the electrodes. The voltage is sufficient to establish an electrostatic field between the electrodes and the filter elements, and sufficient to produce a corona discharge from the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
The voltage is sufficient to establish an electrostatic field between the electrodes and the filter elements
Implementation Method 3
In an electrostatic precipitator, particulate matter is electronically charged and then collected through the action of an electric field
Data Source
AI summary
An inlet air filtration system for a gas turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an air plenum, and a plurality of filter elements mounted inside the air plenum, with each filter element including a support structure. The inlet air filtration system also includes a plurality of electrodes positioned proximate the plurality of filter elements, where the electrodes are coupled to a power source which supplies a voltage to the electrodes. The voltage is sufficient to establish an electrostatic field between the electrodes and the filter elements, and is sufficient to produce a corona discharge from the electrodes, wherein an amount of current applied to the filter elements is about 0.1 μA/ft2 to about 15 μA/ft2.