High-Shear Fuel Distributor for Stable Hydrogen Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combustor/fuel injector arrangements for gas turbine engines using non-carbon based fuels like hydrogen require unconventional designs to ensure stable combustion, maintain engine dimensions, and minimize emissions, while existing engine designs need improvements in durability, emissions, and propulsive efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fuel distributor with a mixing chamber and multiple angled fuel and air inlets is designed to mix gaseous hydrogen fuel with air before combustion, inducing swirling flows to achieve stable combustion and efficient fuel-air mixture distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional combustor/fuel injector arrangements are used for non-carbon based fuels, then the existing engine design is maintained, but stable combustion and desired turbine inlet temperature pattern cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fuel distributor system, including angled fuel openings, multiple air inlet positions, and mixing chamber dimensions, to optimize the mixing and combustion characteristics for non-carbon based fuels while maintaining stable combustion
2Reliability
If unconventional combustor/fuel injection arrangements are designed for alternate fuels, then stable combustion is achieved, but engine size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel distributor design achieves multi-functionality by incorporating features that work for both conventional and alternate fuels, allowing stable combustion with non-carbon based fuels while maintaining compatibility with existing engine architectures and avoiding significant weight increases
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber is integrated within the existing combustor structure, with the fuel distributor nested inside the combustion chamber, allowing the alternate fuel combustion system to be housed within the original engine volume without increasing overall engine size
3Reliability
If fuel distributor design is modified for alternate fuels, then combustion stability improves, but existing combustor dimensions cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality changes by modifying specific regions of the fuel distributor (fuel opening angles, air inlet positions) while keeping the overall combustor volume constant, achieving improved combustion stability for alternate fuels without changing the global dimensions
4Length of stationary object
If conventional fuel injection is used, then engine dimensions are maintained, but emissions and propulsive efficiency are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters such as fuel-to-air ratio control, mixing chamber geometry, and injection timing to minimize harmful emissions and improve propulsive efficiency while maintaining the same engine physical dimensions
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 provides stable combustion, minimizes emissions, and enhances engine durability and efficiency by ensuring a stoichiometric mix of air and fuel, maintaining engine dimensions and performance.
Implementation Method 1
inducing swirling flows to achieve stable combustion
Implementation Method 2
mix gaseous hydrogen fuel with air before combustion, inducing swirling flows to achieve stable combustion
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel mixture distributor for a turbine engine assembly includes a mixing chamber that is disposed about a central axis from a back wall to an outlet of a combustion chamber, and a fuel inlet that extends into the mixing chamber along the central axis. The fuel inlet includes a plurality of fuel openings that are angled relative to the central axis and a first air inlet that encircles the mixing chamber and is spaced apart from the fuel inlet. The first air inlet includes a plurality of first air openings that introduce a first air flow into the mixing chamber. A second air inlet introduces a secondary air flow that is axially forward of the fuel inlet and the first air inlet and proximate to the outlet of the mixing chamber.