In-Situ Fuel Component Cleaning for Gas Turbine Deposits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face the challenge of carbonaceous deposits forming on fuel conveying components due to high temperatures and pressures, which restrict fuel flow and require costly and time-consuming removal processes, often requiring disassembly for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for in-situ cleaning of these deposits using a heated flow of gas directed through an insertion tube positioned proximate the affected component, which heats the deposits to either burn or pyrolyze them, thereby removing them without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the gas turbine engine operates at higher temperatures and pressures to increase efficiency, then the combustion efficiency and heat sink capability are improved, but carbonaceous deposits form on fuel conveying components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted to intentionally heat and burn off carbonaceous deposits from fuel conveying components. The hot gas flow path is utilized to provide thermal energy for cleaning the deposits, converting a potentially harmful accumulation into a removable byproduct through controlled thermal treatment.
2Reliability
If carbonaceous deposits are removed by traditional cleaning methods, then the component functionality is restored, but the process is expensive and time consuming requiring disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs deposit removal prevention and cleaning actions during normal engine operation or between operational cycles. By continuously or periodically applying hot gas flow to fuel conveying components, the deposits are prevented from accumulating to problematic levels or are removed before they significantly impact performance, eliminating the need for costly disassembly and extended maintenance downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine's own hot gas flow path is utilized to clean its own fuel conveying components. The thermal energy already present in the system is redirected to perform the cleaning function, allowing the system to maintain itself without external intervention, disassembly, or additional cleaning equipment.
3Ease of operation
If carbonaceous deposits accumulate on fuel conveying components, then the cross-sectional flow area is reduced, but the component remains installed in the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hot gas flow as an intermediary medium to access and clean deposits within the fuel conveying components. This intermediary thermal field can penetrate and treat deposits in locations that would be difficult or impossible to reach with mechanical cleaning tools, allowing effective cleaning while the component remains installed in the engine without disassembly.
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 removes carbonaceous deposits, restoring component functionality and reducing maintenance costs by allowing for in-situ cleaning, thus maintaining engine efficiency and operability.
Implementation Method 1
providing a heated flow of gas through the insertion tube to heat the component
Implementation Method 2
heats the deposits to either burn or pyrolyze them, thereby removing them without disassembly
Data Source
AI summary
A method of repairing a component of a gas turbine engine in situ, wherein the component includes a deposit, includes directing a flow of gas, which may be an oxygen-containing gas, to the deposit of the component; and heating the component including the deposit while the component is installed in the gas turbine engine and for a duration sufficient to substantially remove the deposit.