Multi-Fuel Blending With Wobbe Index Feedback Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustion systems face challenges in efficiently blending multiple fuels to optimize performance and efficiency, particularly in turbomachines like gas turbines, due to variations in fuel properties that affect combustion dynamics and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for blending multiple fuels using a helical static mixer or mixing chamber, combined with sensors and a controller, to determine and adjust fuel parameters based on measured interchangeability indices like Wobbe Index, ensuring a homogeneous fuel mixture is achieved for optimal combustion system operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fuels with varying properties are blended to optimize combustion performance, then combustion efficiency and adaptability are improved, but the complexity of fuel blending and control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel blending system is divided into separate control circuits for each fuel source, allowing independent control and measurement of each fuel's properties. This segmentation enables complex multi-fuel blending to be managed through multiple simpler, parallel control loops rather than a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to measure the interchangeability index of the blended fuel and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to automatically adjust fuel flow rates and blending parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying fuel properties without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Productivity
If fuel parameters are continuously adjusted to maintain optimal interchangeability index, then combustion efficiency is improved, but control precision and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical blending adjustment mechanisms with electronic control systems that use sensors and processors to measure fuel properties and adjust parameters. This substitution enables more precise and reliable measurement and control of fuel parameters compared to traditional mechanical approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts fuel flow rates, pressures, and mixing ratios based on measured interchangeability indices and target values. By continuously changing operational parameters rather than relying on fixed settings, the system maintains optimal combustion efficiency while adapting to variations in fuel properties.
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 enhances fuel blending efficiency, allowing for improved combustion dynamics and efficiency in turbomachines by ensuring a homogeneous fuel mixture is provided to the combustion system, thereby optimizing performance.
Implementation Method 1
mixing, via a plurality of helical structures of the helical static mixer, the at least two fuels to form a fuel mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A method of blending at least two fuels includes providing at least two fuels to a mixing chamber via a fuel supply system, the fuel supply system including a fuel supply circuit for each fuel of the at least two fuels, mixing, via baffles of the mixing chamber, the at least two fuels to form a fuel mixture, determining, via one or more sensors, a measured interchangeability index of the fuel mixture, comparing the measured interchangeability index to a predetermined interchangeability index, adjusting, via the fuel supply system, one or more parameters of at least one of the at least two fuels based on the comparison between the measured interchangeability index and the predetermined interchangeability index, and providing the fuel mixture to a combustion system.