Integrated Fuel Cell Combustion Section for Gas Turbine Power Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face inefficiencies and hardware life issues due to the lack of robust integration of fuel cell assemblies within the combustion section, leading to suboptimal performance and reduced longevity.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a fuel cell assembly within the combustion section, where a fuel cell stack with angled fuel cells leverages pressure differences and cooling features to enhance airflow and power production, while being securely mounted to the casing and combustion liner, increasing the overall efficiency and hardware life of the turbomachine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a fuel cell assembly is integrated within the combustion section, then power production and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell assembly is integrated within the combustion section by positioning the fuel cell stack in the annular passageway between the combustion liner and casing, merging two separate systems (fuel cell and combustion) into a unified structure that shares common components and space, thereby increasing power production while managing complexity through consolidation
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion section structure serves multiple functions: it houses the combustion chamber for traditional gas turbine operation while simultaneously accommodating the fuel cell assembly in the annular passageway, allowing the same structural space to fulfill both combustion and fuel cell operations, improving power output without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Power
If fuel cells are angled to maximize length, then power production is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cells are positioned at an angle relative to the axial direction rather than being symmetrically aligned, with the fuel cell stack extending radially outward and angled relative to the axial direction. This asymmetric positioning maximizes the effective length of fuel cells within the available annular space, thereby improving power production while the angle is designed to accommodate standard manufacturing tolerances
3Duration of action of stationary object
If fuel cell assembly is integrated into combustion section, then hardware life is extended, but structural integrity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell assembly is nested within the existing combustion section structure, with the fuel cell stack positioned in the annular passageway between the combustion liner and casing. This nested configuration allows the fuel cell assembly to be housed within the robust, thermally-managed environment of the combustion section, extending hardware life through protected positioning while relying on the existing structural integrity of the combustion section to support the integration
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
This integration results in improved power production and extended hardware life by maximizing fuel cell length and efficiency, while maintaining structural integrity and cooling, thus enhancing the overall performance of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells positioned within the passageway and configured to generate a power output
Implementation Method 2
leverages pressure differences and cooling features to enhance airflow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A combustion section (114) includes a casing (400) that defines a diffusion chamber (406). The combustion section (114) further includes a combustion liner (402) that is disposed within the diffusion chamber (406) and that defines a combustion chamber (404). The combustion liner (402) is spaced apart from the casing (400) such that a passageway (408) is defined between the combustion liner (402) and the casing (400). The combustion section (114) further includes a fuel cell assembly (410) that is disposed in the passageway (408). The fuel cell assembly (410) includes a fuel cell stack (415) having a plurality of fuel cells (416). The plurality of fuel cells (416) extend from an inlet end (418) in fluid communication with the diffusion chamber (406) to an outlet end (420) extending through the combustion liner (402) and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber (404).