Gas Turbine Heat Exchange Wall Protrusion Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine combustors face challenges in achieving high heat exchange efficiency while minimizing NOx emissions and maintaining cost-effectiveness, as existing cooling structures are inefficient in managing high combustion temperatures and generating excessive NOx.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange wall design featuring a base plate with distributed first and second protrusions, where the second protrusions are shorter than the first, and optionally third protrusions, arranged to optimize cooling air flow and turbulence, enhancing heat transfer efficiency and reducing pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling structures are used in gas turbine combustors, then the combustor can be cooled, but the heat exchange efficiency is insufficient and excessive cooling air is required
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling wall surface is segmented into multiple protrusions (first protrusions extending in the flow direction, second protrusions extending perpendicular to the flow direction, and third protrusions) that create localized turbulence zones. This segmentation transforms the smooth cooling surface into a multi-level structured surface that enhances heat exchange efficiency while reducing the total cooling air quantity required.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds vertical dimensionality to the cooling wall surface by creating protrusions that extend in multiple directions (flow direction, perpendicular direction, and combinations thereof). This three-dimensional structuring of the cooling surface increases the effective heat exchange area and turbulence generation without increasing the overall combustor size, thereby improving cooling efficiency while reducing cooling air requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If combustion temperature is increased to improve thermal efficiency, then thermal efficiency improves, but NOx emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the high combustion temperature condition (which normally leads to excessive NOx formation) into a benefit by using the heat exchange wall with multi-directional protrusions to dramatically improve heat transfer efficiency. This allows the system to maintain high combustion temperatures for thermal efficiency while the enhanced cooling prevents excessive heat transfer to the combustor wall, thereby reducing thermal NOx formation.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple cooling wall structure is used, then manufacturing cost is low, but heat exchange efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple cooling functions into a single integrated heat exchange wall structure. The first protrusions, second protrusions, and third protrusions are combined in one wall component that simultaneously generates turbulence, extends heat exchange surface area, and directs cooling airflow. This integrated approach achieves superior heat exchange efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a unified structure rather than multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the cooling wall surface by introducing protrusions with specific height ratios (second protrusion height less than half of first protrusion height, third protrusion height between one-twentieth to one-fifth of first protrusion height). These controlled parameter variations optimize the turbulence generation and heat exchange performance while keeping the manufacturing process within practical limits.
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 achieves higher heat exchange efficiency, reduces NOx emissions, and lowers manufacturing costs by improving cooling performance and reducing the required amount of cooling air, thus allowing for increased compressed air introduction and higher combustion temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchange wall according to the present invention has a base plate 24; a plurality of first protrusions 22 which are distributedly provided on a surface of the base plate 24; a plurality of second protrusions 23b which are distributedly provided on the base plate surface 24
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange wall include a base plate; a plurality of first protrusions distributedly provided on a surface of the base plate, and a plurality of second protrusions distributedly provided on the base plate surface. The height of the second protrusion in a normal direction of the base plate is desirably less than ½ of a height of the first protrusion in the normal direction. The height of the second protrusion in the normal direction is desirably between 1/20 and ¼ of the height of the first protrusion in the normal direction. More desirably, the height of the second protrusion in the normal direction is 1/10 of the height of the first protrusion in the normal direction.