Fuel Conditioning System with Downstream Heat Tracing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel conditioning systems for gas turbine engines face issues with ice and hydrate formation in pressure reduction valves due to the Joule-Thompson effect, leading to nozzle erosion and operational disruptions, and conventional solutions like water bath heaters are costly and require emissions permits.

Innovation Solution

A fuel conditioning system incorporating a rotary control valve with a throttling ball and heat tracing elements downstream to reduce pressure without promoting hydrate formation, eliminating the need for upstream heating devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a pressure reduction valve is used to reduce fuel pressure, then the fuel pressure is reduced to the required level, but ice and hydrate formation occurs due to the Joule-Thompson effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel pressureVSAvoidice and hydrate formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing downstream heating (heat tracing elements) before ice and hydrate formation can occur. The heating system is positioned downstream of the pressure reduction valve to counteract the cooling effect and prevent the harmful formation of ice and hydrates that would otherwise occur after pressure reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful cooling effect (Joule-Thompson effect) into a beneficial controlled heating process. By using the temperature drop caused by pressure reduction as an indicator for where heating is needed, the system strategically applies heat exactly where and when it is most effective, turning the harmful thermal effect into a control signal for the heating system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If water bath heaters are used upstream of the pressure reduction valve to prevent ice formation, then ice and hydrate formation is prevented, but operational costs increase and emissions permits are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice and hydrate formationVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heating function from the traditional water bath heater system and relocates it downstream of the pressure reduction valve. This eliminates the need for complex water circulation systems, natural gas boilers, and associated emissions equipment, while still achieving the goal of preventing ice and hydrate formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the expensive, complex water bath heater system with simpler, more economical heat tracing elements. These heating elements are less costly to install and operate, and do not require the infrastructure of water circulation systems or natural gas combustion equipment, thereby reducing operational costs and eliminating emissions permit requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stress or pressure

If conventional pressure control valves are used, then pressure reduction is achieved, but ice buildup makes the valve inoperable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel pressureVSAvoidvalve operability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by heating the fuel downstream of the pressure reduction valve before the fuel can cool sufficiently to form ice. The heat tracing elements are positioned to provide preemptive heating that prevents ice formation before it can accumulate to problematic levels that would affect valve operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces heat tracing elements as an intermediary between the pressure reduction valve and the downstream fuel system. This intermediary heating system mediates the temperature of the fuel, preventing the extreme cooling that would otherwise cause ice buildup and valve inoperability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively prevents ice and hydrate formation while reducing operational and capital costs by minimizing parasitic loads and engineering complexity, ensuring a stable fuel flow to the nozzle.

Implementation Method 1

Such a reduction in pressure, however, may cause ice and hydrate formation in the flow of fuel due to the Joule-Thompson effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule-Thompson effect: Joule-Thomson Effect

Implementation Method 2

heating the flow of fuel downstream of the pressure reduction valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9371917B2Fuel conditioning system

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

The present application provides a fuel conditioning system for delivering a flow of fuel to a nozzle in a gas turbine engine. The fuel conditioning system may include a fuel compressor to increase the pressure of the flow of fuel, a pressure reduction valve to decrease the pressure of the flow of fuel, and a heater downstream of the pressure reduction valve. The pressure reduction valve may include a rotary control valve.