Fuel Oxygen Reduction Unit Stripping Gas Pre-heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel oxygen reduction systems for gas turbine engines are inefficient in reusing stripping gas due to limited oxygen absorption capacity, requiring conditioning of the stripping gas to facilitate reuse and risking fuel coking from improper heating.
Innovation Solution
A fuel oxygen reduction unit with a circulation gas flowpath that includes a gas oxygen reduction unit, a pre-heater, and a makeup gas assembly, where the stripping gas is heated upstream of the gas oxygen reduction unit, typically a catalyst, to enhance oxygen reduction and reuse, and a makeup gas is provided to maintain optimal operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the stripping gas is heated to enhance oxygen reduction and facilitate reuse, then the efficiency of stripping gas conditioning is improved, but the risk of fuel coking increases due to improper heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the stripping gas through a heat exchanger before the gas contacts the fuel in the contactor. This pre-conditioning ensures the gas is at the optimal temperature for oxygen absorption without exposing the fuel to excessive temperatures that would cause coking. The preliminary action of heating the gas separately eliminates the harmful effect of direct high-temperature exposure to fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process is segmented into separate stages: the stripping gas is heated independently in a heat exchanger, then mixed with fuel vapor in the contactor where oxygen reduction occurs. This segmentation allows temperature control in the gas phase without directly heating the liquid fuel, preventing coking while maintaining effective oxygen removal.
2Loss of energy
If the stripping gas is recirculated to improve system efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but the oxygen absorption capacity of the stripping gas becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the recirculated stripping gas by heating it in the heat exchanger. This parameter change restores the gas's oxygen absorption capacity, allowing the same gas to effectively remove oxygen from fuel multiple times. The temperature modification enables the stripping gas to maintain its effectiveness despite recirculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation system maintains continuous operation of the stripping gas through the contactor, with the heat exchanger ensuring the gas remains at optimal temperature for oxygen absorption. This continuous conditioning allows the system to operate efficiently over extended periods without depleting the oxygen removal capacity of the stripping gas.
3Productivity
If a gas oxygen reduction unit is added to reduce oxygen content of stripping gas, then the oxygen removal effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates oxygen removal from the stripping gas without requiring complex mechanical systems. The catalyst provides a surface or chemical pathway for oxygen to be removed from the gas phase, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high oxygen removal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces potential complex mechanical oxygen removal mechanisms with a chemical/catalytic approach. Instead of using mechanical separators or complex purification systems, the oxygen reduction is achieved through chemical reactions facilitated by the catalyst, reducing device complexity while improving oxygen removal effectiveness.
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 solution effectively recycles and conditions the stripping gas, reducing its oxygen content and preventing fuel coking, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the fuel oxygen reduction process in gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
the stripping gas is heated upstream of the gas oxygen reduction unit, typically a catalyst, to enhance oxygen reduction and reuse
Implementation Method 2
a gas oxygen reduction unit positioned in the circulation gas flowpath for reducing an oxygen content of a flow of stripping gas
Data Source
AI summary
An engine includes a combustion section and a fuel delivery system in fluid communication with the combustion section for providing fuel to the combustion section. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel oxygen reduction unit defining a circulation gas flowpath. The fuel oxygen reduction unit includes a gas oxygen reduction unit positioned in the circulation gas flowpath for reducing an oxygen content of a flow of stripping gas through the circulation gas flowpath and a pre-heater positioned in thermal communication with the circulation gas flowpath upstream of the gas oxygen reduction unit.