Off-Gas Fuel Blend for Gas Turbine Emission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine combustion systems face challenges in reducing emissions of NOx and CO, despite regulatory efforts, as existing designs primarily focus on structural changes and fuel/air mixing improvements, with little consideration for fuel type modifications.
Innovation Solution
A fuel supply system that incorporates an off-gas, such as a blend of hydrogen and methane, is introduced to the combustion system, specifically targeting the pilot fuel nozzle to create a blended fuel mixture that reduces emissions by stabilizing the flame at lower temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional fuel types and structural combustion system designs are used, then the combustion system can operate with existing hardware, but emissions of NOx and CO remain high and fail to meet regulatory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the fuel by introducing off-gas (containing hydrogen and methane) to blend with natural gas. This parameter change in fuel type enables lower emissions without requiring structural modifications to the combustion system hardware.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If fuel/air mixing improvements and flame temperature reduction are implemented through structural changes, then emissions can be reduced, but the device complexity and hardware modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the existing combustion system structure, the patent copies the successful emissions-reduction effect by changing the fuel composition. The off-gas blend replicates the benefits of complex mixing systems and temperature control mechanisms through a simpler chemical approach.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the combustion system operates at lower flame temperatures to reduce NOx emissions, then pollutant levels decrease, but flame stability and combustion efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fuel mixture by blending off-gas (hydrogen and methane) with natural gas. This composite fuel provides lower flame temperature for reduced NOx emissions while maintaining flame stability through the synergistic properties of the mixed fuel components.
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 use of an off-gas fuel blend significantly decreases NOx and CO emissions and lowers flame temperature, achieving reduced pollutant levels without major hardware changes, as demonstrated by test results showing emissions trends and flame temperature reductions.
Implementation Method 1
The off-gas supply conduit further comprises a means for compressing an off-gas, an off-gas main stop valve, an off-gas control valve, a first mixed fuel stop valve, and contains an off-gas selected from a group of off-gas fuels preferably comprising the common constituents hydrogen and methane
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel supply system and method thereof that utilizes an off-gas in addition to the primary fuel to lower the emissions of a gas turbine combustion system is disclosed. The fuel supply system apparatus comprises a fuel gas supply conduit and an off-gas supply conduit in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply conduit such that the flow of an off-gas to the fuel gas supply conduit can be regulated as required by the operator to the desired fuel nozzle(s). The fuel gas supply preferably operates with natural gas and the off-gas supply preferably comprises the constituents hydrogen and methane.