Optical Flame Indicator for Combustor Flashback Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting and controlling flashback and flame holding in gas turbine combustors are complex, costly, and unreliable, particularly in lean-premixed combustion systems using highly reactive fuels like hydrogen, which can lead to significant damage due to the inability to effectively monitor temperature changes or electrical wiring issues.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a flame indicator that produces light when exposed to a flame, detectable by a downstream detector, allowing for the identification of flashback and flame holding through a specific color-coded light indication, which notifies the gas turbine control system to determine and address the issue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermocouples are used to detect temperature changes, then flashback and flame holding detection is achieved, but the system becomes complex and costly when placed in every location within a fuel nozzle assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflashback and flame holding detectionVSAvoidplacement complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal sensing system (thermocouples) with an optical sensing system. The flame indicator uses optical materials that change properties when exposed to flame, and the detector uses optical sensors to detect these changes. This substitution eliminates the need for complex wiring and multiple thermocouple placements while maintaining detection reliability across multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical detection system provides universal detection capability across multiple locations within the fuel nozzle assembly using a single detector type. The flame indicator materials and optical detectors can be deployed uniformly throughout the assembly, providing consistent detection performance without the location-specific complexity associated with thermocouple installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If electric fields are used to detect flames within the fuel nozzle assembly, then nozzle-level detection is achieved, but cost and reliability issues arise due to electrical wiring requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle-level detectionVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical field-based detection system with an optical detection system. The flame indicator uses optical materials that respond to flame exposure, and the detector uses non-electrical optical sensors. This eliminates the reliability issues associated with electrical wiring in harsh combustion environments while maintaining precise nozzle-level detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If thermocouples are used for detection, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but the system fails to provide comprehensive monitoring across multiple locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoringVSAvoidcomprehensive monitoring coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection system into multiple independent flame indicator units that can be distributed throughout the fuel nozzle assembly. Each indicator operates independently and can be detected by a central detector, providing comprehensive monitoring coverage across all critical locations without the limitations of a single point thermocouple system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides a reliable, cost-effective, and simple method to detect and control flashback and flame holding across multiple locations within a combustor, reducing damage by enabling precise identification and corrective action, such as adjusting fuel flow, to prevent nozzle material melting and turbine blade damage.

Implementation Method 1

The flame indicator may be configured to produce light when exposed to a flame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemiluminescence: Chemiluminescence

Implementation Method 2

the detector may be configured to detect the light produced by the flame indicator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8915089B2System and method for detecting and controlling flashback and flame holding within a combustor

Publication Date: 2014.12.23 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A system is provided for detecting and controlling flashback and flame holding in a combustor of a gas turbine. The system includes at least one flame indicator disposed in a combustor and at least one detector disposed downstream from the flame indicator. The flame indicator may be configured to produce light when exposed to a flame and the detector may be configured to detect the light produced by the flame indicator.