Combustion Liner Cooling Guide Vane Wake Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbines, the cooling effectiveness of the combustion liner is reduced due to bluff bodies and mounting hardware within the cooling flow annulus, which disrupt the cooling flow and create wake regions, leading to decreased thermal and mechanical performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of guide vanes within the cooling flow annulus between the flow sleeve and the liner, positioned proximate to bluff bodies, redirects higher-momentum cooling medium flow into wake regions, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing the formation of hot spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bluff bodies and mounting hardware are disposed within the cooling flow annulus to support fuel injectors, then the structural functionality is achieved, but the cooling flow is disrupted and wake regions are created, reducing cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Guide vanes are introduced as intermediary elements within the cooling flow annulus. These vanes redirect the cooling flow to wrap around bluff bodies and fill wake regions, mediating between the structural components and the cooling medium to maintain both structural support and effective heat dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vanes create localized flow redirection specifically in the wake regions behind bluff bodies. This local modification of flow patterns ensures that cooling effectiveness is improved precisely where it is most needed (in the wake regions) without disrupting the overall structural arrangement
2Productivity
If axially staged fuel injectors are positioned within the cooling flow annulus to enable complete combustion, then combustion efficiency is improved, but the cooling medium flow is obstructed, creating hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
Guide vanes serve as intermediary flow control elements that redirect cooling flow around the fuel injectors and mounting hardware. This allows the fuel injection system to remain in place for efficient combustion while the guide vanes mediate the cooling flow to prevent hot spot formation
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vanes segment the cooling flow into different pathways, directing portions of the cooling medium around each bluff body and mounting hardware. This segmentation ensures comprehensive coverage of wake regions while maintaining the structural integrity of the fuel injection system
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 solution improves the thermal and mechanical performance of the liner by minimizing the negative effects of bluff bodies on cooling flow, ensuring effective heat dissipation and maintaining the structural integrity of the combustor.
Implementation Method 1
A guide vane is disposed within the cooling flow annulus and extends between the flow sleeve and the liner proximate to the bluff body
Implementation Method 2
Liner cooling is typically achieved by routing a cooling medium such as the compressed air through a cooling flow annulus or flow passage defined between the liner and a flow sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a combustor having an annularly shaped liner that at least partially defines a hot gas path of the combustor. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liner. The flow sleeve is radially spaced from the liner to form a cooling flow annulus therebetween. A bluff body extends radially between the flow sleeve and the liner through the cooling flow annulus. A guide vane is disposed within the cooling flow annulus and extends between the flow sleeve and the liner proximate to the bluff body.