Integrated Fuel Nozzle Connection for Gas Turbine Combustor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel supply systems for gas turbines are prone to leakage, leading to flame holding in the combustor head end due to failed seals, which can result in inefficiencies and increased NOx emissions.

Innovation Solution

An integrated fuel connection system where the fuel port is integrally joined with the flange, forming a single unitary piece, to prevent leakage and reduce flame holding, utilizing a filter and orifice fitting to ensure proper fuel flow and minimize thermal expansion differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealed connection is used within the combustor head end to supply fuel, then fuel can be delivered to the fuel nozzles, but the seal may fail or leak causing flame holding in the head end

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel supply reliabilityVSAvoidflame holding in head end

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel connection is extracted from the combustor head end and repositioned to the combustor casing exterior. The fuel port extends through the casing wall, allowing fuel supply connection to be made outside the combustion chamber volume, thereby eliminating the risk of seal failure causing flame holding within the head end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel port serves as an intermediary element that connects the external fuel supply system to the internal fuel nozzle assembly. By positioning the fuel port to extend through the casing wall rather than being sealed within the head end, it mediates the fuel delivery function while avoiding the harmful effect of potential seal failure in the combustion chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate components are used for fuel connection and flange, then assembly flexibility is improved, but leakage risk increases due to multiple seal interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidfuel supply seal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel connection and flange are merged into a single integrally formed component. This eliminates the separate seal interface between the fuel connection and flange, removing the potential leakage path while maintaining assembly flexibility through the integral design that combines both functions in one piece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fuel port extends through combustor casing, then fuel leakage into head end is prevented, but thermal expansion differences may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel leakage preventionVSAvoidthermal expansion compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel port is designed with parameters (material selection, wall thickness, geometry) that account for and accommodate thermal expansion differences between the fuel port material and the combustor casing. This allows the fuel port to maintain structural integrity and sealing performance despite differential thermal expansion during combustion operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3428537B1Combustion chamber for a turbomachine with an integrated fuel nozzle connection

Publication Date: 2022.11.16 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A gas turbine includes a compressor, a turbine, and a combustor disposed downstream from the compressor and upstream from the turbine, the combustor includes an end cover 36. the combustor also includes a flange 54. the flange 54 includes an internal fluid passage 64 defined within the flange 54 and the flange 54 is coupled to an internal face 37 of the end cover 36. a fuel port 60 is integrally joined with the flange 54. the fuel port 60 extends through the end cover 36 between the flange 54 and an inlet positioned outside of the end cover 36. the inlet of the fuel port 60 is in fluid communication with the internal fluid passage 64 of the flange 54.