Pinch Point Water Separator for Steam-Injected Hydrogen Turbines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines suffer from inefficiencies due to the loss of heat energy in the exhaust and high carbon emissions, necessitating improvements in engine performance and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen-powered, steam-injected, intercooled turbine engine system that utilizes a condenser to extract water from exhaust gases, convert it to steam, and inject it into the combustor to increase mass flow and power output, while using a water separator to efficiently separate liquid water from residual gases for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a condenser is added to extract water from exhaust gases, then heat recovery efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water separator integrates the condenser and separation functions into a single unit. The condenser extracts water vapor from exhaust gases while the separator simultaneously separates liquid water from residual gases, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity despite adding heat recovery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The water separator performs multiple functions: it acts as both a condenser for heat recovery and a separator for water-gas separation. This multi-functional design allows the system to recover heat while maintaining relatively simple device architecture by combining what would traditionally be separate components
2Power
If steam is injected into the combustor to increase mass flow, then power output is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water separator combines the steam generation function with the water separation function. By integrating the condenser that produces steam with the separator that delivers water to the combustor, the system increases power output through steam injection without requiring entirely separate steam generation equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own exhaust gases to power the steam generation process. The condenser extracts heat from exhaust gases to convert water to steam, which is then injected into the combustor. This self-service approach generates the additional mass flow needed for increased power output without requiring external steam generation systems
3Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrogen fuel is used to reduce carbon emissions, then environmental performance is improved, but energy management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where exhaust gases are routed back through the condenser and water separator, and the separated water is fed back to the combustor as steam. This closed-loop feedback mechanism manages the hydrogen fuel combustion process efficiently, reducing carbon emissions while maintaining manageable energy management through automated recirculation and reuse of exhaust 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
Enhances engine efficiency and reduces carbon emissions by maximizing heat recovery and utilizing hydrogen's thermal capacity, allowing for a smaller engine design with increased power output without additional compressor work.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser to extract water from the exhaust gases
Implementation Method 2
convert it to steam
Implementation Method 3
mix the compressed airflow with fuel that is ignited in a combustor to generate a high energy exhaust gas flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a gas generating core engine that generates an exhaust gas flow that is expanded through a turbine section. A power turbine is forward of the core engine and is coupled to drive a propulsor. A hydrogen fuel system supplies hydrogen fuel to the combustor through a fuel flow path. A condenser (62) extracts water from the exhaust gas flow. A water separator (108) is in communication with the condenser (62) and directs the extracted water (54) to a water storage tank (90). An evaporator receives a portion of the water that is extracted by the condenser (62) and generates a steam flow. The steam flow is injected into the core flow path upstream of the turbine section.