Gas Turbine Shroud Cooling Channel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine components, particularly stationary shrouds, face extreme mechanical and thermal stresses due to high temperatures and velocities, leading to degradation and reduced lifespan, necessitating improved cooling and sealing efficiency while being cost-effective and durable.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a stationary shroud ring with an inner shroud segment featuring counterflowing crossflow channels and a feed and outlet channel configuration that directs coolant efficiently through the shroud segment, enhancing coolant distribution and heat transfer, thereby reducing stress on components and improving durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cooling configurations are used in stationary shrouds, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient leading to component degradation under extreme thermal stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling configuration is segmented into multiple independent channels including feed channels, crossflow channels, and outlet channels. Each channel performs a specific function in the coolant flow path, allowing for optimized thermal management of different shroud regions while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular channel design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shroud are provided with tailored cooling through the channel network. The crossflow channels are positioned to address specific high-heat zones on the hot gas path side, while feed and outlet channels are configured to optimize coolant distribution and extraction at critical locations, ensuring localized thermal protection where most needed
2Reliability
If coolant flow rate is increased to improve cooling efficiency, then heat transfer improves, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system maintains continuous coolant flow through the shroud's hot gas path side via the interconnected feed, crossflow, and outlet channels. This continuous action ensures sustained thermal protection without requiring intermittent high-energy cooling bursts, optimizing energy utilization while maintaining reliable heat rejection
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles to optimize coolant flow distribution through the channel network. The feed channels deliver coolant under pressure to crossflow channels positioned at thermal hot spots, and outlet channels efficiently extract heated coolant, maximizing heat transfer efficiency per unit of coolant energy consumed
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 configuration reduces stress on hot gas path components, extends their service life, lowers maintenance and production costs, and enhances engine efficiency by optimizing coolant usage and heat management.
Implementation Method 1
channels are configured to receive and direct a coolant through an interior of the inner shroud segment
Implementation Method 2
a pair of counterflowing crossflow channels in which a first crossflow channel extends side-by-side with a neighboring second crossflow channel
Data Source
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AI summary
A turbine that includes an inner shroud segment (35) having a cooling configuration in which interior channels (60) are configured to receive and direct a coolant. The cooling configuration may include a pair of counterflowing crossflow channels (60) in which a first crossflow channel extends side-by-side with a neighboring second crossflow channel; and a feed (81) and outlet (82) channel configuration comprising neighboring feed and outlet channels. The feed channel may connect at a first connection to an upstream end (61) of the first crossflow channel and the outlet channel may connect at a second connection to a downstream end (62) of the second crossflow channel. The feed channel may extend in an inner radial direction from an inlet (91) to the first connection. The outlet channel may extend in an outer radial direction from the second connection to an outlet (92). The feed channel may include a section that undercuts the outlet channel.