Fuel Lance Gas Sensor for Turbine Ignition Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel injection systems face risks of overheating and soot formation due to residual fuel ignition near or within fuel supply components, particularly in gas turbine engines, where inadequate purging can lead to damage and inefficiency, and current monitoring methods like thermocouples are unreliable and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injection system equipped with a gas sensor to detect the concentration of gaseous fuel inside the fuel supply component, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of the purge sequence to prevent ignition, using a mixed metal oxide semiconductor (MMOS) sensor connected to an electronic device that can extend or adjust the purge duration based on fuel concentration levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermocouples are used to monitor fuel lance temperature, then overheating detection is provided, but the detection is unreliable and maintenance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermocouple-based temperature detection system with an optical detection system using light sources, optical fibers, and photodetectors. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with the fuel lance, improving reliability while maintaining monitoring capability. The optical system can be positioned remotely, making maintenance more accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as intermediaries to transmit light between the detection region near the fuel lance and the photodetector. This allows temperature monitoring without direct physical contact, solving both the reliability and maintenance accessibility problems by enabling remote detection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If purge sequence is extended to ensure complete fuel removal, then ignition risk is reduced, but purge gas consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the photodetector continuously monitors light absorption in the fuel lance, and the purge sequence duration is adjusted based on real-time detection results. When the detection indicates complete fuel removal, the purge sequence terminates automatically, optimizing purge gas consumption while ensuring ignition risk is eliminated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of fuel concentration before initiating the full purge sequence, allowing the system to determine the minimum required purge duration in advance. This prevents excessive purge gas consumption while ensuring complete fuel removal for safety.
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 reduces the risk of ignition by ensuring complete purging with minimal purge gas usage, providing reliable monitoring and maintenance insights, and preventing overheating and soot formation, while allowing for early detection of potential issues with the check valve and fuel supply components.
Implementation Method 1
a gas sensor for detecting the concentration of the gaseous fuel inside the fuel supply component
Implementation Method 2
using a mixed metal oxide semiconductor (MMOS) sensor connected to an electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel injection system has a fuel lance for supplying gaseous fuel to the burner of a gas turbine engine. The fuel lance includes a gas sensor that is used to monitor the concentration of the methane fuel inside the gas pilot channel of the fuel lance. The invention prevents overheating caused by the ignition of the methane fuel inside the fuel lance by monitoring the concentration of the methane fuel during the purge sequence and taking action if a critical fuel air mixture is reached.