Fuel Nozzle and Swirler Layout for Hydrogen Flashback Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current combustors face durability issues when using high-temperature fuels due to flame holding or flashback, which are exacerbated by the higher flame speed and burn temperatures of fuels like hydrogen or hydrogen-based fuels, leading to reduced combustor component durability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fuel nozzle and swirler architecture that includes a secondary fuel passage system, with outlets on both interior and exterior surfaces of the splitter, and a swirler with varying vane angles to manage fuel distribution, reducing flame holding and flashback, and enhancing fuel mixing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-temperature fuels like hydrogen are used to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions, then combustion efficiency is improved, but flame holding and flashback occur leading to reduced combustor component durability
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injection system is segmented into multiple nozzles with different injection patterns (coaxial, counter-swirling, parallel) to distribute fuel more effectively and control flame propagation, preventing flame holding and flashback while maintaining high combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses variable injection parameters and dynamic fuel distribution control to adapt to different operating conditions, allowing the combustor to maintain stability and prevent flashback across a range of high-temperature fuel combustion scenarios
2Productivity
If fuel injection rate is increased to improve combustion completeness, then combustion completeness is improved, but flame speed increases leading to flashback and reduced component durability
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the combustor receive fuel with different injection characteristics (swirl rates, injection angles, timing) to locally control combustion intensity and flame speed, achieving complete combustion without excessive flame propagation speed that would cause flashback
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic or pulsed fuel injection patterns that synchronize with flame propagation characteristics, allowing complete combustion while controlling the timing and rate of fuel delivery to prevent flashback conditions
3Device complexity
If single fuel passage design is used to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but fuel distribution control and mixing efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel passage system is divided into multiple independent passages, each serving specific injection functions (coaxial injection, swirler injection, pilot injection), enabling precise control of fuel distribution and improved mixing efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-passage fuel injection system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously (primary fuel delivery, pilot ignition, swirl generation, flame stabilization) across different operating conditions, achieving superior fuel mixing efficiency without proportionally increasing structural 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 improves combustor durability and reduces NOx and carbon emissions by stabilizing the flame and controlling fuel distribution, even with high-temperature fuels, thereby increasing the operational efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a swirler with varying vane angles to manage fuel distribution, reducing flame holding and flashback, and enhancing fuel mixing efficiency
Implementation Method 2
The engine utilizes a fuel nozzle to inject the combustible fuel into the combustor
Implementation Method 3
An engine, such as a turbine engine that includes a turbine, 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, which can supply a primary fuel supply and a secondary fuel supply. Increasing efficiency and reducing emission require the use of alternative fuels, which combust at higher temperatures or burn at faster burn speeds than traditional fuels, requiring improved fuel introduction without the occurrence of flame holding or flashback.