Plasma Reactor Fuel Deoxygenation for Gas Turbine Coking Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face issues with fuel coking due to high heat generation, which can lead to solid particle formation and system clogging, and existing fuel oxygen reduction systems are inefficient in reducing oxygen levels effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fuel oxygen reduction unit incorporating a plasma reactor that reduces the oxygen content of a stripping gas flow through repetitive plasma power pulses, breaking and reforming chemical bonds to achieve an outlet oxygen content of less than 0.1% by mass, which is then used to deoxygenate fuel, preventing coking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fuel is heated to increase combustion efficiency, then combustion efficiency is improved, but fuel coking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts oxygen from the fuel stream using a stripping gas that selectively removes oxygen through mass transfer. This separation process removes the harmful oxygen component that causes coking while preserving the fuel's combustible properties, allowing the fuel to be heated without coking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the fuel by reducing its oxygen content from typical jet fuel levels (2-5% by weight) to depleted oxygen levels (<0.1% by weight). This parameter change fundamentally alters the fuel's thermal behavior, preventing coking during heating and combustion.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional fuel oxygen reduction systems are used, then oxygen content is reduced, but energy consumption is high and reaction time is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal or catalytic oxygen removal systems with a mass transfer-based stripping system. The stripping gas physically removes oxygen through dissolution and degasification processes, which are more energy-efficient and faster than thermal decomposition or catalytic oxidation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a recirculating stripping gas system that continuously cycles through the fuel stream, providing periodic contact to progressively remove oxygen. This periodic action allows for complete oxygen depletion without requiring continuous high energy input, as the system builds up oxygen removal efficiency over multiple circulation cycles.
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 effectively reduces fuel oxygen content, preventing coking and requiring lower energy input, faster reaction times, and reduced monitoring compared to conventional systems, ensuring efficient operation and extended component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma reactor configured to reduce an oxygen content of the stripping gas flow such that an outlet oxygen content of the stripping gas flow that exits the plasma reactor gas outlet is lower than an inlet oxygen content of the stripping gas flow that enters the plasma reactor gas inlet
Implementation Method 2
the plasma reactor includes a reactor tube that provides repetitive plasma power pulses to the stripping gas flow flowing through the plasma reactor
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel oxygen reduction unit for an aeronautical engine is provided. The fuel oxygen reduction unit includes a stripping gas line that provides a stripping gas flow and a plasma reactor in fluid communication with the stripping gas line. The plasma reactor includes a plasma reactor gas inlet that receives the stripping gas flow from the stripping gas line and a plasma reactor gas outlet that provides the stripping gas flow back to the stripping gas line, the plasma reactor configured to reduce a free oxygen content of the stripping gas flow such that an outlet free oxygen content of the stripping gas flow that exits the plasma reactor gas outlet is lower than an inlet free oxygen content of the stripping gas flow that enters the plasma reactor gas inlet.