Joule Heating Pre-Combustor Air Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face inefficiencies in heating pre-combustor air, which can be improved by integrating an electric heater with a heat recuperator to enhance energy recovery and reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electric heater, powered by the gas turbine engine's energy conversion, within a heat recuperator or diffuser pipe to heat the pre-combustor air through Joule heating, facilitating heat transfer from combustion gases to pressurized air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a heat exchange recuperator is used to heat pre-combustor air, then energy recovery from exhaust gases is improved, but the heating capability is insufficient in cold weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a heat exchange recuperator with an electric heater into an integrated heating system. The heat exchange recuperator recovers thermal energy from exhaust gases to preheat combustion air, while the electric heater provides additional heating capability when required, particularly in cold weather conditions. This merged system resolves the contradiction by maintaining energy recovery benefits while adding temperature control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heating system serves multiple functions: (1) energy recovery from exhaust gases through heat exchange, (2) supplemental heating through electric resistance heating, and (3) temperature control for optimal combustion performance. This multi-functional approach allows the system to address both energy conservation and temperature requirements simultaneously.
2Temperature
If an electric heater is integrated with the heat recuperator, then heating capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric heater is integrated within the heat exchange recuperator structure, sharing common components such as housing, mounting brackets, and control systems. This merging approach provides enhanced heating capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity through component sharing and spatial optimization.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electric heater is powered by the gas turbine engine's energy conversion, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the system requires additional electrical infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The electric heater is powered by electricity generated from the gas turbine engine's own operation, creating a self-service energy system. The engine generates electrical energy that is then used to operate the electric heater, reducing external energy requirements and improving overall fuel efficiency. This self-service approach minimizes the need for external electrical infrastructure.
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 approach improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions by effectively heating pre-combustor air, enhancing the overall performance of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
a second channel configured to receive the combustion gas downstream of the combustor, the second channel being thermally coupled to the first channel to facilitate heat transfer from the combustion gas to the pressurized air
Implementation Method 2
the second channel being thermally coupled to the first channel to facilitate heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
an electric heater configured to heat the compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for heating pre-combustor air in a gas turbine engine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine configured for heating the pre-combustor air comprises a compressor for pressurizing air received in the gas turbine engine; an electric heater configured to heat the compressed air; a combustor in which the heated compressed air is received, mixed with fuel and ignited for generating combustion gas; and a turbine for extracting energy from the combustion gas. Joule heating may be used to heat the compressed air upstream of the combustor.