Fuel Cup Combustor Baffle Geometry for NOx and CO Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustors in turbine engines emit environmentally harmful by-products such as NOx, CO, and UHC, and there is a need to reduce these emissions while maintaining efficiency, especially with the use of hydrogen or hydrogen mixed fuels that produce higher flame temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A combustor design featuring a baffle that defines a sheltered zone and a transitional geometry of the combustor liner, along with a swirler and dilution openings, to stabilize fuel cups and control the combustion process, reducing NOx emissions and improving flame stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hydrogen or hydrogen mixed fuel is used for combustion, then flame temperature increases and burning velocity increases, but NOx emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor is divided into multiple fuel cups (rich fuel cups and lean fuel cups) arranged circumferentially, each injecting fuel into a separate zone. This segmentation allows different fuel/air mixture ratios in different zones, enabling temperature control to reduce NOx while maintaining overall combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the combustor are given different fuel/air mixture qualities - rich fuel cups create fuel-rich zones with lower oxygen concentration and lower flame temperatures, while lean fuel cups create fuel-lean zones. This local quality variation reduces peak temperatures and NOx formation in critical areas
2Reliability
If traditional combustor design is used, then结构简单 (structure is simple), but flame stability is poor and emissions are high
Solution Approach 1:
Fuel is pre-mixed with air in specific ratios before injection into the combustion chamber. The fuel cups pre-condition the fuel/air mixture, creating optimal conditions for stable combustion and complete burning, which reduces CO and UHC emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cup structure acts as an intermediary device between the fuel injection system and the main combustion chamber. It provides a controlled environment for initial fuel/air mixing and ignition, ensuring stable flame establishment before gases enter the main combustion zone
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 design achieves lower NOx emissions, better flame control, and reduced CO emissions, enhancing the efficiency and longevity of turbine engine components.
Implementation Method 1
a swirler and dilution openings
Implementation Method 2
the fuel is burned in the presence of the air to produce hot gas
Implementation Method 3
A combustor design featuring a baffle that defines a sheltered zone
Data Source
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AI summary
A turbine engine (10) including a combustor (34) with a combustor liner (38, 138) having dilution openings (62, 76, 78) and a geometry that changes along an axial direction. The combustor further having a baffle (70, 170, 270, 370) surrounding a combustor liner (38, 138) defining a combustion chamber (46) of the combustor. A method for controlling nitrogen oxides within the combustor, including injecting compressed air into the annular combustion chamber (46) through any of the dilution openings (62, 76, 78) described herein.