Two-shaft Gas Turbine Combustor Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-shaft gas turbines lack high operability, particularly in quickly responding to changes in load frequency and maintaining stability in power generation systems, as they do not effectively manage combustion switching and load adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A two-shaft gas turbine design with a combustor featuring multiple independent combustion regions and a motor/generator system that adjusts fuel delivery and rotational speeds to optimize power generation and consumption, allowing for reduced combustion switching frequency and expanded operational load zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single combustion region is used in the combustor, then the structure is simple, but the combustion switching frequency increases during load changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustor structureVSAvoidcombustion switching frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The combustor is divided into multiple independent combustion regions (first combustion region and second combustion region), each capable of operating independently. This segmentation allows the system to switch between regions based on load requirements, reducing the overall combustion switching frequency while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The combustor design enables dynamic switching between different combustion regions based on operational load conditions. The fuel supply to each region can be independently adjusted, allowing the system to adapt to varying load demands without requiring frequent combustion mode changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the gas turbine responds quickly to load changes, then the rate of change in power generation increases, but the combustion switching frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverate of change in power generationVSAvoidcombustion switching frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the combustor into multiple independent combustion regions, the system can rapidly adjust power output by selectively activating or adjusting fuel supply to specific regions, rather than requiring complete combustion mode switching. This enables quick response to load changes while minimizing the frequency of combustion region transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (fuel supply distribution to different combustion regions) to achieve rapid load response. By adjusting the fuel-air ratio and distributing fuel to appropriate combustion regions based on load conditions, the system achieves high rate of change in power generation without excessive combustion switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple combustion regions are used with independent fuel adjustment, then the operational load zone expands, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational load zoneVSAvoidfuel adjustment means
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The combustor is segmented into multiple independent combustion regions, each with its own fuel adjustment capability. This segmentation enables the system to operate across a wider load range by selectively activating regions based on demand, while the modular nature of the segmentation keeps the added complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each combustion region is designed to be universally functional, capable of operating independently or in combination with other regions. This multi-functionality allows the same combustor structure to handle a wide range of load conditions without requiring fundamentally different configurations, thereby expanding the operational load zone without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enhances operability by minimizing combustion switching frequency and expanding the operational load zone, improving reliability and efficiency in responding to rapid load changes, thus stabilizing power generation systems.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor (1) which compresses air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a combustor (20) which adds a fuel to compressed air obtained by compressing air with the compressor (1), and combusts a fuel-air mixture thus generating a combustion gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a high pressure turbine (2) which is rotatably driven by the combustion gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 4

a low pressure turbine (3) rotatably driven by the combustion gas which drives the high pressure turbine (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 5

a motor/generator (6) which is capable of rotatably driving the gas generator (15) and is capable of extracting power from the gas generator (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2762677B1Two-shaft gas turbine
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2762677B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2762677B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D
  • EP2762677B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A two-shaft gas turbine having high operability is provided. The two-shaft gas turbine (17) includes: a gas generator (15) having a compressor (1), a combustor (20) and a high pressure turbine (2); a power turbine (16) having a low pressure turbine (3); a load (5) connected to the power turbine (16); a motor/generator (6) capable of rotatably driving the gas generator (15) and capable of extracting power from the gas generator (15); electric equipment controlling the rotational driving and the power extraction by delivering electric power between the electric equipment and the motor/generator (6); and a control device controlling the electric equipment, wherein the combustor (20) has a plurality of combustion regions (51a-51d) to which a fuel is supplied through fuel adjustment means which are independent from each other, and the control device controls a delivery amount of the electric power delivered by the electric equipment corresponding to the number of combustion regions (51a-51d) to which the fuel is supplied.