Hydrogen Fuel Nozzle Assembly with Steam Mixing for Flashback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbine engines using hydrocarbon fuels produce environmentally harmful byproducts such as NOx, CO, and other oxides, and the use of hydrogen fuel increases the risk of flashback and flameholding due to its faster burning velocity and wider flammable range.

Innovation Solution

Introduce steam into the fuel nozzle assembly to mix with hydrogen fuel before combustion, controlling flame speed and reducing peak temperatures, thereby limiting flashback and flameholding, and reducing NOx emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If hydrogen fuel is used instead of hydrocarbon fuel, then NOx emissions are reduced, but flame speed increases causing flashback and flameholding risks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNOx emissionsVSAvoidflashback and flameholding risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Steam is introduced as an intermediary substance that mixes with hydrogen fuel in the nozzle assembly. This steam-hydrogen mixture moderates the combustion characteristics, reducing flame speed to prevent flashback while maintaining the low NOx emission benefits of hydrogen combustion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The composition parameter of the fuel is changed by mixing steam with hydrogen in varying proportions. This parameter change adjusts the flame speed and combustion temperature to safe operating levels while preserving the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If steam is mixed with hydrogen fuel, then flame speed is controlled and flashback is limited, but combustion efficiency may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflashback limitationVSAvoidcombustion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Steam is introduced in controlled partial amounts rather than fully replacing hydrogen. This partial action approach provides sufficient steam to control flame speed and prevent flashback, while maintaining enough hydrogen concentration to preserve combustion efficiency and power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 introduction of steam with hydrogen fuel limits flame speeds, reduces peak temperatures, and decreases NOx emissions, while maintaining efficient combustion in turbine engines.

Implementation Method 1

Introduce steam into the fuel nozzle assembly to mix with hydrogen fuel before combustion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 2

mixing gaseous hydrogen with steam can limit flame speeds, which can limit flashback and flameholding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption:

Data Source

PatentUS12410746B1Gas turbine and fuel nozzle assembly for mixing hydrogen fuel and steam to control flame speed

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A gas turbine engine comprising a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section in a serial flow arrangement, with the combustion section comprising a combustor liner that at least partially defines a combustion chamber; and a gaseous fuel nozzle assembly, comprising: a steam supply to supply steam; a hydrogen fuel supply to supply gaseous hydrogen fuel; and a fuel nozzle body fluidly coupled with the steam supply and the hydrogen fuel supply.