Fuel Split Control Device for Gas Turbine Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining fuel split in staged combustion chambers of gas turbines and aircraft engines face challenges in ensuring reliable, economical, and low-emission operations while prioritizing safety and efficiency, particularly in distinguishing between steady and transient states and managing parameters like smoke and weak extinction limits.
Innovation Solution
A device with control devices that calculate and set a preselected fuel split based on combustion chamber exit temperature, turbine input temperature, and fuel/air ratio, using sensor values and control laws to manage valve positions, prioritize safety, and account for abnormal operating conditions, ensuring precise fuel distribution between pilot and main burners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a control system determines fuel split based on multiple parameters (temperature, fuel/air ratio) and distinguishes between steady and transient states, then the reliability and precision of fuel split determination is improved, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a state determination module that distinguishes between steady and transient states, a parameter detection module that measures temperature and fuel/air ratio, and a fuel split calculation module. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, improving overall precision while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary state determination (steady vs. transient) before calculating the final fuel split. By pre-classifying the operational state based on detected parameters, the system can apply appropriate control strategies for each state, improving determination precision without requiring all calculations to be performed simultaneously, thus managing computational complexity.
2Reliability
If the system accounts for multiple operating conditions (smoke limit, weak extinction limit, abnormal conditions) when determining fuel split, then the operational safety and emission reduction are improved, but the control algorithm complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control algorithm applies different control strategies and priority rules for different operational conditions. For example, during transient states, the system prioritizes avoiding weak extinction limits, while during steady states, it focuses on meeting smoke emission limits. This localized application of different control qualities for different operating regions improves safety without requiring a single overly complex algorithm to handle all scenarios uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts control parameters such as fuel split targets and priority weights based on the detected operational state and conditions. When abnormal conditions are detected, the algorithm changes parameters to prioritize safety margins. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to different conditions without requiring a fundamentally different control structure for each scenario.
3Reliability
If the system uses multiple sensors (combustion chamber exit temperature, turbine input temperature, fuel/air ratio) to determine fuel split, then the measurement accuracy and operational reliability are improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detected parameters (temperature, fuel/air ratio) serve multiple functions: they are used for state determination (steady vs. transient), for calculating the fuel split itself, and for monitoring operational conditions such as smoke limits and extinction limits. This multi-functionality of the sensor system improves reliability through redundant information usage while reducing the need for additional dedicated sensors, thus managing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for determining a fuel split, and particularly a final fuel split in at least one staged combustion chamber of a gas turbine or an aircraft engine is provided. The device comprises a first control device for determining a preselected fuel split demand for the staged combustion chamber, wherein this determination can be performed based on the detection of a steady state or the detection of a transient state. The detection can in particular be performed based on a combustion chamber exit temperature, a turbine input temperature and/or a value for the fuel/air ratio.