Fuel Oxygen Conversion Unit with Dual Gas Separators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face issues with fuel coking due to high heat, which can lead to solid particle formation and system clogging, and existing fuel oxygen conversion systems may leave excess gas in the fuel system, causing undesirable combustion dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A fuel oxygen conversion unit with a contactor and two fuel gas separators in series, where the first is mechanically driven and the second can be either mechanically or passively driven, to effectively reduce oxygen content in fuel, using a circulation gas flowpath and a gas boost pump with a catalyst to manage stripping gas and ensure efficient fuel delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stripping gas is introduced to reduce oxygen content in fuel, then fuel coking is reduced, but excess gas remains in the fuel system causing undesirable combustion dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gas removal process into multiple stages using two sequential fuel gas separators. The first separator removes the bulk of stripping gas through mechanical separation, while the second separator provides additional gas removal to ensure minimal residual gas reaches the combustion section, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing oxygen content and preventing combustion dynamics issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts stripping gas from the fuel stream through two stages of separation. The first fuel gas separator extracts the majority of gas content, and the second fuel gas separator extracts remaining gas traces, effectively removing the harmful gas component while preserving the deoxygenated fuel for combustion
2Productivity
If fuel oxygen conversion is performed to prevent coking, then combustion efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple separators and gas management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gas separation functions into two integrated fuel gas separators that work in series. Both separators handle the same fuel stream and are designed to work together as a unified system, reducing the need for separate gas management equipment and simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining effective gas removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and recirculates stripping gas from both fuel gas separators back to the contactor. This recovery approach eliminates waste, reduces the need for additional gas disposal systems, and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining effective oxygen removal from the fuel
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 reduces oxygen content in fuel to prevent coking and minimizes excess gas in the fuel system, enhancing combustion efficiency and preventing undesirable engine dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
Certain of these fuel oxygen conversion systems may introduce a stripping gas to absorb or otherwise react with the fuel to reduce an oxygen content of the fuel
Implementation Method 2
a mechanically-driven, first fuel gas separator defining a liquid fuel outlet and a stripping gas outlet
Implementation Method 3
a second fuel gas separator positioned in fluid communication with the liquid fuel outlet path at a location downstream of the first fuel gas separator
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel oxygen conversion unit for a vehicle or an engine of the vehicle includes a contactor; a mechanically-driven, first fuel gas separator defining a liquid fuel outlet and a stripping gas outlet, the fuel oxygen conversion unit defining a liquid fuel outlet path in fluid communication with the liquid fuel outlet of the first fuel gas separator; and a second fuel gas separator positioned in fluid communication with the liquid fuel outlet path at a location downstream of the first fuel gas separator.