Fuel Oxygen Conversion Unit Isolation Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face issues with fuel coking due to high heat, which can lead to component clogging, and existing fuel oxygen conversion systems may introduce excess gas, causing undesirable combustion dynamics if not properly managed.
Innovation Solution
A fuel oxygen conversion unit with a contactor, fuel gas separator, and isolation valve, which modulates the stripping gas flow through a circulation gas flowpath to reduce oxygen content in fuel, using a gas boost pump and catalyst to recycle stripping gas and maintain efficient operation by adjusting gas flow based on engine conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stripping gas is introduced to reduce oxygen content in fuel, then fuel coking is reduced, but excess gas in the fuel system causes undesirable combustion dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a circulation flowpath that returns gas from the fuel gas separator back to the contactor, creating a closed-loop feedback system. This allows excess gas to be continuously removed and recirculated, maintaining optimal gas levels in the fuel system while preventing combustion dynamics issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel gas separator discards excess gas from the fuel system by separating it from the liquid fuel. The separated gas is then recovered and recirculated through the circulation flowpath back to the contactor, preventing waste while maintaining system balance.
2Productivity
If stripping gas flow is increased to reduce oxygen content, then fuel deoxygenation efficiency improves, but gas accumulation occurs in the fuel system
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation flowpath establishes continuous operation by constantly returning separated gas from the fuel gas separator back to the contactor. This continuous recirculation ensures that gas is continuously removed from the fuel system while maintaining steady-state operation, preventing accumulation while sustaining high deoxygenation efficiency.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If gas flow through circulation flowpath is modulated to control excess gas, then combustion dynamics are maintained, but system complexity increases with valve control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation valve is automatically controlled by the control system based on sensor feedback regarding gas flow conditions. The system self-regulates by automatically modulating the valve to maintain optimal combustion dynamics without requiring manual intervention, balancing control precision with operational simplicity.
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
Effectively reduces fuel oxygen content, minimizing coking risks while maintaining efficient combustion dynamics by dynamically controlling the stripping gas flow, especially during varying engine operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the fuel oxygen conversion unit further includes a catalyst
Implementation Method 2
the fuel oxygen conversion unit further includes a gas boost pump
Implementation Method 3
a fuel gas separator, the fuel oxygen conversion unit defining a circulation gas flowpath from the fuel gas separator to the contactor
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel oxygen conversion unit includes a contactor; a fuel gas separator, the fuel oxygen conversion unit defining a circulation gas flowpath from the fuel gas separator to the contactor; and an isolation valve in airflow communication with the circulation gas flowpath for modulating a gas flow through the circulation gas flowpath to the contactor.