Automated Fuel Polishing Loop for Gas Turbine Test Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine test cell fuel management systems require manual operation and separate fuel return systems for each test cell, leading to complex plumbing and increased manpower needs, while lacking continuous fuel polishing capabilities to maintain fuel quality.
Innovation Solution
An automated fuel polishing and on-demand delivery system that includes a polishing loop with a pump assembly, filtration system, flow meter, and controller to continuously polish fuel and adjust flow rates based on demand, eliminating the need for separate fuel return systems and ensuring consistent fuel quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manually operated liquid fuel supply systems with separate fuel return systems are used for each test cell, then individual fuel supply to each test cell is achieved, but device complexity and plumbing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fuel supply and return lines into a single common fuel supply line that serves all test cells. The fuel polishing system is integrated into this common line, eliminating the need for separate return systems at each test cell. This merging approach maintains individual fuel supply capability while dramatically reducing plumbing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The common fuel supply line serves multiple functions: it provides fuel supply to all test cells, incorporates a fuel polishing system for continuous fuel treatment, and eliminates the need for separate return systems. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability to individual test cell needs.
2Ease of operation
If manually operated fuel supply systems are used, then fuel can be supplied to individual test cells, but continuous fuel polishing capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel polishing system operates continuously within the common fuel supply line, ensuring constant fuel treatment and quality maintenance. This continuous polishing action occurs regardless of whether test cells are actively drawing fuel, maintaining fuel quality consistency without interfering with manual operation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel polishing system pre-treats fuel before it reaches the test cells, ensuring fuel quality is maintained in advance. This preliminary fuel treatment prevents contamination and maintains consistency, eliminating the need for separate return systems to re-process fuel after use.
3Productivity
If separate fuel return pumping stations are installed at every test cell, then unused fuel can be returned, but manpower requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated fuel polishing system automatically handles fuel treatment and return functions. The system self-regulates fuel flow through the polishing mechanism without requiring manual activation at each test cell. This eliminates the need for operators to manually activate return systems while maintaining fuel return efficiency through automated flow management.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple separate fuel return pumping stations are merged into a single integrated fuel polishing system located in the common fuel supply line. This consolidation maintains the ability to return and re-process unused fuel while eliminating the need for separate stations at each test cell, thereby reducing manpower requirements and operational 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
The system provides continuous fuel polishing and automatic fuel delivery, maintaining consistent fuel quality and flow rates, reducing operational complexity and manpower requirements by integrating fuel polishing and delivery into a single, intelligent fuel supply system.
Implementation Method 1
The polishing loop can have a pump assembly in fluid communication with the fuel storage tank and configured to maintain fuel flow within a fuel supply line of the polishing loop
Implementation Method 2
The polishing loop can have a filtration system in fluid communication with the pump assembly, and having one or more filters
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing an automatic fuel polishing and on-demand fuel delivery for one or more gas turbine engine test cells are provided. The system can have a polishing loop that can continuously polish fuel. The polishing loop can have at least a fuel storage tank, a pump assembly, a filtration system, and a flow meter. The system can also have fuel delivery path coupled to the polishing loop at a three way junction. The three way junction can enable the continuous polishing loop when no test cells are operating. Upon initiation of one or more test cells, the delivery path can draw fuel from the polishing loop via the three way junction for use by the test cells. The flow meter can measure a corresponding drop in flow within the polishing loop and cause an increase in flow by the pump assembly.