Reformer Stack Combustor for Gas Turbine Emissions Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in achieving desired combustor power while minimizing emissions, as combustor temperature affects carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides levels, requiring a system to optimize temperature distribution and emissions within the combustion chamber.
Innovation Solution
An integrated reformer and combustor assembly that distributes output products along the length of the combustion chamber to adjust temperature and reduce emissions, utilizing a reformer stack to generate a hydrogen-rich fuel stream and control fuel flow to achieve a 'late lean' combustion method, which reduces residence time and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If combustor power is increased to meet thrust demand, then thrust output is improved, but combustor temperature increases which raises nitrogen oxides emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The reformer stacks are positioned at specific locations within the combustion chamber to create localized zones of hydrogen-rich fuel injection. This local modification allows different regions of the combustion chamber to have different fuel compositions, enabling optimized combustion that reduces NOx emissions while maintaining required power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the chemical composition parameter of the fuel by using reformer-generated hydrogen-rich gas instead of conventional fuel. This parameter change allows the combustion process to operate at lower temperatures for the same power output, thereby reducing nitrogen oxides emissions while maintaining thrust demand.
2Power
If combustor power is increased to meet thrust demand, then thrust output is improved, but combustor temperature increases which raises carbon monoxide emissions
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the fuel parameter to hydrogen-rich composition from the reformer, the combustion process achieves more complete oxidation at lower temperatures. This parameter change simultaneously addresses both NOx and CO emissions while maintaining the required power output for thrust demand.
3Temperature
If reformer stacks are distributed along the combustion chamber length, then temperature distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injection system is segmented into multiple reformer stacks distributed along the combustion chamber length rather than a single injection point. This segmentation creates multiple localized combustion zones that improve overall temperature distribution and reduce emissions, while the modular nature of the segments keeps the complexity manageable.
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 manages combustor temperature to minimize emissions by optimizing the distribution of output products, achieving a balance between combustor power and reduced nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide levels.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a reformer stack to generate a hydrogen-rich fuel stream
Implementation Method 2
mixed with fuel and ignited in the combustion section for generating combustion gases
Implementation Method 3
The turbine section extracts energy therefrom for rotating the compressor section and fan assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods including a plurality of reformer stacks extended around the combustion chamber. The reformer stacks are distributed along a length of the combustion chamber in the axial direction and configured to provide output products to the combustion chamber.