Nested Flow Path Fuel Conduit for Gas Turbine Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, fuel conduits near the combustion zone are exposed to increased temperatures, especially during modes of operation with lower fuel flow rates, leading to potential fuel coking and inefficient heat management.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conduit design with a nested flow path configuration, where a pilot flow path is circumscribed by a main flow path, integrated with an insulation chamber to enhance heat transfer and reduce temperature exposure, fabricated using additive manufacturing processes like direct metal laser manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fuel conduits are positioned near the combustion zone to deliver fuel to the combustor segment, then fuel delivery efficiency is improved, but fuel is exposed to increased temperatures leading to potential coking and heat management issues
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel conduit is divided into multiple flow paths (first flow path and second flow path) with separate outlet ports. This segmentation allows different fuel streams to be delivered through distinct routes, enabling optimized temperature management for each path while maintaining efficient fuel delivery to the combustor segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The first flow path is circumscribed by the second flow path, creating a nested configuration where one flow path is positioned within another. This nested arrangement allows the outer flow path to provide thermal protection to the inner flow path, reducing temperature exposure to the fuel while maintaining compact conduit positioning near the combustion zone.
2Loss of energy
If fuel flow rate is reduced during certain modes of operation, then fuel consumption is optimized, but fuel is exposed to increased temperatures for longer durations increasing coking risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts fuel flow distribution between the first and second flow paths based on operating conditions. During modes with lower overall fuel flow rates, the nested configuration ensures that fuel in the inner flow path receives thermal protection from the outer flow path, maintaining reliability and preventing coking while still achieving fuel consumption optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The second flow path acts as an intermediary thermal barrier that protects the first flow path from excessive temperatures. This intermediary configuration allows the system to maintain reliable fuel delivery and prevent coking even when fuel flow rates are reduced for energy optimization during certain operating modes.
3Device complexity
If traditional single flow path conduit design is used, then device complexity is minimized, but heat management effectiveness and fuel insulation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The nested flow path configuration provides effective heat management and fuel insulation through the circumscribed arrangement of flow paths, achieving superior thermal protection compared to traditional single flow path designs while maintaining relatively simple integrated conduit structure suitable for additive manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flow paths and outlet ports are merged into a single integrated conduit structure that can be manufactured as one piece using additive manufacturing processes. This merging approach provides effective heat management and fuel insulation without significantly increasing device complexity, as the nested configuration is achieved within a unified conduit body.
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 design effectively insulates fuel from elevated temperatures, reduces the risk of coking, improves specific fuel consumption, and minimizes weight and cost by optimizing fuel flow and heat management within the engine.
Implementation Method 1
a first flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the first outlet ports, and the fluid conduit also has a second flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the second outlet ports. At least a portion of the first flow path is circumscribed by the second flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly and a combustion assembly in flow communication with the compressor assembly. The combustion assembly includes a plurality of fuel nozzles and a fluid conduit for delivering fuel to the fuel nozzles. The fluid conduit has a plurality of first outlet ports that are spaced apart from one another along the fluid conduit, and the fluid conduit also has a plurality of second outlet ports that are spaced apart from one another along the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit further has a first flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the first outlet ports, and the fluid conduit also has a second flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the second outlet ports. At least a portion of the first flow path is circumscribed by the second flow path.