Fuel Injector Flow Restrictor for Hydrogen Combustion Dynamics

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas turbine engine designs are inadequate for efficiently handling hydrogen-containing fuels due to their higher burn temperatures and combustion dynamics, which can lead to uncontrolled flame shapes and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A fuel injector with a flow restrictor and multiple stages of fuel orifices, including a cavity and concentric segments, is used to control the fuel flow and acoustic oscillations, mitigating combustion dynamics and optimizing flame shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing gas turbine engine designs are used with hydrogen-containing fuels, then the engine can operate with alternative fuels, but the higher burn temperatures and combustion dynamics lead to uncontrolled flame shapes and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel compatibilityVSAvoidcombustion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel injector is divided into multiple stages with different orifice arrangements. The first stage includes an upstream orifice arrangement that produces a first pressure drop, and the second stage includes a downstream orifice arrangement that produces a second pressure drop. This segmentation allows controlled fuel injection in two distinct phases, managing the combustion dynamics of hydrogen-containing fuels and maintaining efficient combustion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the fuel injector are designed with different orifice characteristics. The upstream orifices have specific sizes and arrangements optimized for initial fuel delivery, while the downstream orifices have different characteristics optimized for final fuel metering. This local differentiation enables precise control over fuel distribution and combustion characteristics throughout the injection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If existing fuel injector designs are used, then the structure is simple, but they cannot control the fuel flow and acoustic oscillations effectively, leading to uncontrolled combustion dynamics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjector structureVSAvoidcombustion control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel injector is divided into multiple stages with different orifice arrangements. The first stage includes an upstream orifice arrangement that produces a first pressure drop, and the second stage includes a downstream orifice arrangement that produces a second pressure drop. This segmentation allows controlled fuel injection in two distinct phases, managing the combustion dynamics of hydrogen-containing fuels and maintaining efficient combustion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel injector design incorporates dynamic control through multi-stage pressure drops and noncylindrical orifices that respond to flow conditions. The upstream and downstream orifice arrangements create staged pressure reductions that adapt to varying fuel flow rates, enabling reliable control of combustion dynamics across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If single-stage fuel injection is used, then the device complexity is low, but the combustion dynamics are uncontrolled and flame shape cannot be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection systemVSAvoidflame shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel injector is divided into multiple stages with different orifice arrangements. The first stage includes an upstream orifice arrangement that produces a first pressure drop, and the second stage includes a downstream orifice arrangement that produces a second pressure drop. This segmentation allows controlled fuel injection in two distinct phases, managing the combustion dynamics of hydrogen-containing fuels and maintaining efficient combustion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel injection system changes key parameters through staged pressure drops. The upstream orifices create an initial pressure reduction that begins the fuel atomization process, while the downstream orifices create a final pressure reduction that completes the metering. This parameter transformation through multiple stages enables precise control over fuel delivery and flame formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution reduces combustion dynamics, enhances efficiency, and improves pollutant emissions and exit temperature profiles, resulting in a more efficient and eco-friendly turbine engine operation.

Implementation Method 1

an upstream orifice arrangement that produces a first pressure drop of flowing fuel and a downstream orifice arrangement that produces a second pressure drop of the flowing fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP4202307B1Combustor with a fuel injector

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A turbine engine (10) having a compressor section (12), a combustion section (14) and a turbine section (16) in serial flow arrangement. The turbine engine (10) further having a combustor (80), provided within the combustion section (14), defining a combustion chamber (86) and having at least one fuel injector (76). The fuel injector (140) having a fuel channel (120), a first set of fuel orifices (122), and a flow restrictor (124) located within the fuel channel (120) and having a second set of fuel orifices (126).