Integrated Fuel Treatment Module for Gas Turbine Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power generation systems face increased costs, complexity, and installation challenges due to separate fuel treatment systems, which require additional space, connections, and labor, especially in emergency or temporary power situations.

Innovation Solution

An integrated fuel treatment system within a containerized module that combines multiple fuel treatment subsystems, including tank drain treatment, demineralized water supply, pumps, separators, and filters, to efficiently remove contaminants from fuel, with a centralized control system for monitoring and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate fuel treatment systems are used, then fuel treatment functionality is provided, but installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel treatment functionalityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate fuel treatment systems (water removal, particulate removal, biological contaminant removal) into a single integrated fuel treatment system with a common housing, allowing all treatment functions to be performed in one unit rather than requiring multiple separate systems that would need to be installed and connected individually

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate fuel treatment systems are used, then fuel treatment functionality is provided, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel treatment functionalityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated fuel treatment system performs water removal, particulate removal, and biological contaminant removal functions in a single installed unit, eliminating the time required to install and connect multiple separate treatment systems while maintaining all necessary fuel treatment capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate fuel treatment systems are used, then fuel treatment functionality is provided, but labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel treatment functionalityVSAvoidinstallation labor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple fuel treatment subsystems into one unified system with common housing and centralized control, reducing the number of installation operations and labor hours required compared to installing and interconnecting multiple separate treatment systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system simplifies installation, reduces costs and effort, and ensures reliable operation by integrating fuel treatment processes in a single module, enhancing mobility and efficiency while maintaining fuel purity for gas turbine engines.

Implementation Method 1

a separator to remove water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a filter to remove particulates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

ultraviolet (UV) lights to kill biological contaminants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4001615B1System and method for treating fuel for a gas turbine engine
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP4001615B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4001615B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4001615B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for treating and filtering liquid fuel in a containerized module are provided. This approach involves flowing the liquid fuel from a raw fuel tank and a clean fuel tank along a treatment flow path of a tank drain treatment system to remove water, particulates, and biological contaminants from the liquid fuel. The liquid fuel also flows along a supply flow path to a gas turbine engine. In particular, the supply flow path includes separators and filters, which are distinct from those within the tank drank treatment system, and forwarding pumps. By treating the liquid fuel via an integrated system, the containerized module's fuel treatment system provides ease in installation, minimizes the amount of space used, and reduces cost.