Extendable Exhaust Plenum Structure for Gas Turbine Noise Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fracturing operations using gas turbines generate significant noise pollution, which is a challenge due to the large number of turbines operating concurrently, leading to environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A mobile fracking system with an exhaust attenuation system that includes a lower elongated plenum and a movable upper noise attenuation system, featuring silencer hoods and an elongated conduit, to dampen and directionally control exhaust air flow from gas turbines, increasing the effective length of the exhaust stack for noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional exhaust system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the sound attenuation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the upper elongated plenum inside or alongside the lower elongated plenum, creating a nested dual-plenum structure. The upper plenum is selectively extendable from the lower plenum, forming a telescopic configuration that maximizes noise attenuation within a compact spatial footprint while maintaining system complexity at an acceptable level.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the exhaust stack length is increased, then the sound attenuation increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the upper elongated plenum selectively extendable and retractable relative to the lower elongated plenum. This dynamic configuration allows the exhaust stack length to be adjusted based on operational requirements, enabling increased sound attenuation when needed while maintaining a compact configuration when extension is not required, thus managing device complexity effectively.
3Productivity
If multiple turbines operate concurrently, then the productivity increases, but the noise pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements merging by combining the lower elongated plenum and upper elongated plenum into an integrated exhaust attenuation system. This unified dual-plenum structure provides enhanced noise attenuation capabilities that can effectively handle the cumulative noise output from multiple concurrently operating turbines, allowing increased productivity without proportional increases in noise pollution.
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 40% increase in sound attenuation and up to 1.2 dB sound pressure reduction by selectively extending the exhaust plenum length, effectively reducing noise emissions from gas turbines.
Implementation Method 1
exhaust attenuation system configured to receive exhaust gas from the gas turbine... to dampen and directionally control exhaust air flow... achieves a 40% increase in sound attenuation
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile fracking system and methods may include a gas turbine housed at least partially inside a trailer and an exhaust attenuation system configured to receive exhaust gas from the gas turbine. The exhaust attenuation system may include a lower elongated plenum configured to receive exhaust gas from the gas turbine and an upper noise attenuation system that is movably connected relative to a distal end of the lower elongated plenum.