Multi-Branch Fuel Supply With Heat Exchangers for Hydrogen Flashback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fueling and combustion systems are unable to efficiently supply high levels of hydrogen or pure hydrogen to gas turbine combustors without causing flashback or flame holding conditions, which can damage the fuel nozzles, due to the different burning characteristics and physical properties of hydrogen compared to natural gas.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine combustion system with multiple injection stages and a fuel supply circuit that includes heat exchangers to modify the temperature of fuel, allowing for flexible and efficient combustion of alternative fuels like hydrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If high levels of hydrogen or pure hydrogen are supplied to the combustor, then emissions of NOx and other pollutants are significantly reduced or eliminated, but flashback or flame holding conditions occur that can cause severe damage to the fuel nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply system is divided into multiple independent branches, each capable of supplying different fuel types (natural gas or hydrogen) to different injection stages. This segmentation allows the system to control hydrogen supply to specific zones where it can reduce emissions without causing flashback damage to nozzles, while other branches continue to supply natural gas for stable combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fuel types are supplied to different spatial locations (injection stages) within the combustor. Hydrogen is selectively supplied to specific zones where its high reactivity benefits emissions reduction, while natural gas is supplied to other zones where stability is prioritized, creating local quality variations in fuel composition throughout the combustion chamber.
2Power
If natural gas fuel is heated to close the temperature differential between fuel supply and compressed air, then gas turbine power output increases, but hydrogen density decreases and velocity increases, exacerbating flashback risks
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel heating function is segmented and applied selectively to different fuel branches. Natural gas branches receive heating to improve power output, while hydrogen branches either receive no heating or controlled heating to maintain higher density and lower velocity, thereby reducing flashback risk while still achieving the desired temperature differential closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of fuel is changed differently for different fuel types. Natural gas is heated to a higher temperature to maximize power output, while hydrogen temperature is controlled or minimized to maintain favorable density and velocity characteristics that prevent flashback, demonstrating parameter changes adapted to specific fuel properties.
3Device complexity
If traditional fueling systems are used with hydrogen, then system simplicity is maintained, but the different burning characteristics of hydrogen lead to unsafe combustion dynamics and flame speed issues
Solution Approach 1:
The fueling system is segmented into multiple branches with independent control capabilities, allowing each branch to be optimized for specific fuel types. This segmentation enables the system to accommodate hydrogen's different burning characteristics by controlling its supply separately from natural gas, ensuring safe combustion dynamics while maintaining reasonable system complexity through modular design.
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 enables efficient combustion of hydrogen-rich fuels by controlling flame temperature and reducing the risk of flashback, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
at least two heat exchangers fluidly coupled to a thermal fluid supply, each heat exchanger disposed in thermal communication on a respective branch for modifying a temperature of fuel within the respective branch
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine combustion system includes a combustor that has at least two injection stages each configured to inject fuel into a combustion chamber of the combustor. A fuel supply circuit is in fluid communication with the at least two injection stages for providing the fuel from a fuel supply to the injection stages. The fuel supply circuit includes at least two branches, each branch being fluidly coupled to a respective injection stage. The gas turbine combustion system further includes at least two heat exchangers fluidly coupled to a thermal fluid supply. Each heat exchanger is disposed in thermal communication on a respective branch of the at least two branches for modifying a temperature of fuel within the respective branch.