Intercooled Turbine Thermal Storage for Air Inlet Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intercooled gas turbine engines face efficiency and power output challenges due to ambient temperature variations, particularly in extreme conditions where existing cooling systems are large, costly, and energy-intensive, and can lead to parasitic losses or ice formation.
Innovation Solution
A thermal storage system integrated with the gas turbine engine, comprising a secondary cooler, a thermal energy storage tank, and a temperature conditioning device, allows for controlled temperature management of the air inlet and intercooler, using a heat exchange fluid to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If inlet chillers and cooling towers are added to cool the air inlet, then the air inlet temperature is reduced improving efficiency, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage tank stores cooled water in advance during periods when cooling demand is low, so that cooling can be provided later without requiring large active cooling components to be operating continuously. This reduces the size and complexity of the active cooling system while maintaining the ability to control air inlet temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified cooling approach by storing the cooling effect (cold water) in a thermal energy storage tank rather than using complex active cooling systems. The stored cold water acts as a substitute for the complex chiller and cooling tower system, providing cooling when needed without the continuous complexity of active systems.
2Temperature
If inlet chillers and cooling towers are added to cool the air inlet, then the air inlet temperature is reduced improving efficiency, but the quantity of water consumed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage tank allows the cooling system to operate continuously at low capacity, storing cooling capacity in the water, rather than requiring large intermittent operation of chillers and cooling towers. This continuous low-level operation reduces peak water consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air extraction is used to heat the incoming air flow, then ice formation is prevented, but parasitic power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat from the turbine exhaust into a useful resource for preventing ice formation. By using the thermal energy storage tank to store and then apply this waste heat at the air inlet, the system transforms a harmful waste product into a beneficial heating source, eliminating ice formation risk without requiring additional parasitic power extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own waste heat from the turbine exhaust to prevent ice formation at the air inlet. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate heating systems or power extraction, as the turbine's own byproduct is utilized to protect against its own operating conditions.
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
This system enhances the overall efficiency and performance of the gas turbine engine by optimizing air inlet temperatures, reducing energy expenditure, and preventing ice formation, while minimizing the size and cost of cooling peripherals.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal energy storage tank in communication with the intercooler
Implementation Method 2
flowing the heat exchange fluid about the air inlet and/or flowing the heat exchange fluid about an intercooler
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a thermal storage system for use with a gas turbine engine having an intercooler. The thermal storage system may include a secondary cooler in communication with the intercooler, a thermal energy storage tank in communication with the secondary cooler and the intercooler, and a temperature conditioning device positioned about the gas turbine engine and in communication with the thermal energy storage tank.