Fuel Nozzle Swirler Architecture for Hydrogen Flashback Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combustors are susceptible to flame holding or flashback when using high-temperature fuels like hydrogen due to their higher flame speed and temperature, leading to durability issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a fuel nozzle and swirler architecture with features such as aft-curved lips, purge openings, and varying swirl numbers to manage airflow velocity and direction, reducing flame holding and flashback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-temperature fuels like hydrogen are used, then combustion efficiency and emissions reduction are improved, but flame holding and flashback susceptibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a purge airflow through purge openings in the swirler assembly before the flame can establish holding or flashback conditions. This counter-flow of cooler air prevents the flame from propagating upstream or adhering to combustor surfaces, thereby preemptively counteracting the harmful effects of high-temperature fuel combustion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the purge airflow as an intermediary substance between the high-temperature fuel combustion and the combustor surfaces. This intermediate cool airflow acts as a protective barrier that allows efficient combustion of hydrogen while preventing direct contact between the flame and combustor components, thus resolving the contradiction between combustion efficiency and durability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If high-temperature fuels like hydrogen are used, then carbon emissions are reduced, but flame speed increases causing flashback
Solution Approach 1:
The purge openings introduce a counter-flow of cooler air that moves opposite to the direction of flame propagation. This preliminary anti-action prevents the high-speed flame from traveling upstream into the fuel nozzle or swirler, thereby counteracting the flashback problem while allowing clean hydrogen combustion to proceed
3Device complexity
If conventional combustor design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flame holding occurs on combustor components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the swirler assembly by incorporating discrete purge openings within the swirler structure. This segmentation allows the introduction of a dedicated purge airflow path without fundamentally redesigning the entire combustor, adding only the necessary openings and flow paths to prevent flame holding while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing purge openings at specific locations within the swirler assembly where flame holding is most likely to occur. This localized modification targets the problem area with cooler airflow without requiring changes to the entire combustor structure, thus preventing flame holding with minimal added complexity
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 design enhances combustor durability by preventing flame holding and flashback, allowing the use of high-temperature fuels like hydrogen while maintaining efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a swirler, defining a swirler passage, with an outlet provided the fuel nozzle; a set of vanes provided within the swirler
Implementation Method 2
a lip extending downstream from the set of vanes relative to the flow of air through the swirler; the lip provides for an increased axial velocity component along the fuel nozzle
Implementation Method 3
The engine utilizes a fuel nozzle to inject the combustible fuel into the combustor
Implementation Method 4
a turbine that is driven by combustion of a combustible fuel within a combustor of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
An engine can utilize a combustor to combust fuel to drive the engine. A fuel nozzle assembly can supply fuel to the combustor for combustion or ignition of the fuel. The fuel nozzle assembly can include a swirler and a fuel nozzle to supply a mixture of fuel and air for combustion. Increasing efficiency and meeting emission needs can be met with the use of alternative fuels, which combust at higher temperatures or higher speeds than traditional fuels, requiring improved fuel introduction without the occurrence of flame holding or flashback.