Hydrogen Fuel Nozzle Premixer for Flashback and NOx Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines using hydrogen fuel face challenges with flashback and increased NOx emissions due to the formation of fuel pockets and uneven fuel-air mixtures, which are not effectively addressed by traditional fuel nozzles.
Innovation Solution
The fuel nozzle incorporates a premixer body with a set of vortex generators that redirect fluid flow to create homogeneous fuel-air mixtures, ensuring adequate velocity and preventing flashback, while reducing NOx emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fuel nozzles are used, then the structure is simple, but fuel pockets form and mixture uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple functional sections: a premixing section with vortex generators for creating turbulent mixing, and a combustion section. This segmentation allows the premixing section to specifically address mixture uniformity while the overall structure remains manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Fuel and air are premixed in the premixing section before entering the combustion section. The vortex generators create preliminary turbulent mixing that ensures uniform distribution of fuel and air, preventing fuel pocket formation during combustion.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrogen fuel is used, then emissions are reduced, but flashback risk increases due to high velocity and fuel pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The premixing section performs preliminary mixing of hydrogen fuel and air before combustion, ensuring uniform distribution that prevents fuel pockets. This preliminary action maintains adequate mixture velocity while eliminating the conditions that lead to flashback.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex generators change the flow parameters by creating turbulent mixing and maintaining adequate velocity throughout the combustion section. This parameter control ensures hydrogen burns efficiently with reduced NOx emissions while preventing flashback through proper velocity management.
3Productivity
If fuel injection rate increases, then productivity improves, but mixture uniformity deteriorates due to fuel pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The premixing section performs preliminary mixing at high injection rates, using vortex generators to create intense turbulent mixing that maintains uniformity even when large amounts of fuel are injected. This preliminary action ensures that increased productivity does not compromise mixture quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex generators create mechanical turbulence and chaotic flow patterns that enhance mixing efficiency. This mechanical disturbance ensures that even at high fuel injection rates, the fuel and air remain uniformly distributed without forming pockets.
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 ensures a homogeneous mixture of hydrogen fuel and air, minimizing flashback risk and lowering NOx emissions, making it suitable for hydrogen fuel combustion in turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
The set of vortex generators are provided along the premixer body and extend into the primary flow path. The set of vortex generators redirect a flow of fluid that flows over the set of vortex generators from an upstream end, or leading edge, and towards a downstream edge, or trailing edge, of the set of vortex generators. The redirection of the flow of fluid that flows over the set of vortex generators creates at least one vortex downstream of the set of vortex generators.
Implementation Method 2
The set of vortex generators redirect a flow of fluid that flows over the set of vortex generators from an upstream end, or leading edge, and towards a downstream edge, or trailing edge, of the set of vortex generators. The redirection of the flow of fluid that flows over the set of vortex generators creates at least one vortex downstream of the set of vortex generators.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel nozzle for a turbine engine. The fuel nozzle has a premixer body, vortex generator, air injection orifice, and fuel injection orifice. The premixer body defines a primary flow path. The air injection orifice is provided in the premixer body and located downstream of the vortex generator. The fuel injection orifice is provided in the premixer body and opens into the primary flow path.