Fuel Cell Stack for Gas Turbine Combustor Temperature Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face challenges in achieving desired combustor power while minimizing emissions, as combustor temperature affects carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) levels, requiring a system to optimize temperature distribution and residence time within the combustion chamber.

Innovation Solution

An integrated fuel cell and combustor assembly is used, where a fuel cell stack provides output products at various locations along the combustion chamber to adjust temperature and reduce emissions by optimizing the distribution of fuel and air, employing a 'late lean' injection system to minimize residence time and emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If combustor temperature is increased to achieve desired combustor power, then power output is improved, but nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustor powerVSAvoidnitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel cell stack is divided into multiple independently controllable modules arranged axially along the combustion chamber. Each module can be controlled separately to optimize local temperature distribution and minimize NOx emissions while maintaining overall combustor power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the combustion chamber receive different amounts of output products from the fuel cell stack, creating localized temperature optimization. This allows high power regions to be distinguished from emission-sensitive regions, applying different control strategies to each zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If combustor temperature is decreased to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, then emissions are improved, but combustor power output decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrogen oxides (NOx) emissionsVSAvoidcombustor power

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel cell stack is divided into multiple independently controllable modules arranged axially along the combustion chamber. Each module can be controlled separately to optimize local temperature distribution and minimize NOx emissions while maintaining overall combustor power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the combustion chamber receive different amounts of output products from the fuel cell stack, creating localized temperature optimization. This allows high power regions to be distinguished from emission-sensitive regions, applying different control strategies to each zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If combustor temperature is decreased to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, then emissions are improved, but combustor power output decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon monoxide (CO) emissionsVSAvoidcombustor power

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel cell stack is divided into multiple independently controllable modules arranged axially along the combustion chamber. Each module can be controlled separately to optimize local temperature distribution and minimize CO emissions while maintaining overall combustor power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the combustion chamber receive different amounts of output products from the fuel cell stack, creating localized temperature optimization. This allows emission control in specific zones while maintaining power generation in other zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach effectively reduces emissions by controlling temperature and residence time within the combustion chamber, achieving a balance between CO and NOx levels, thereby improving the operational efficiency of gas turbine engines.

Implementation Method 1

an axial distribution of a plurality of fuel cell stacks (232, 234) extended around an outer liner (210) defining a combustion chamber (228) or integrated into the outer liner (210)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical reaction: Fuel Cell

Implementation Method 2

air is compressed in the compressor section and mixed with fuel and ignited in the combustion section for generating combustion gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS12123361B2Systems and methods for providing output products to a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Systems and methods include a fuel cell stack extended around a combustion chamber that is configured to provide output products to the combustion chamber to achieve at least one of late lean injection and a desired combustor gas concentration distribution. The fuel cell stack is positioned at a downstream section of the combustion chamber along an axial direction.