Skid Architecture for Power Augmentation Fluid Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power augmentation systems for gas turbines require multiple pumps and recirculation valves, increasing cost and complexity, while recirculation valves are unreliable and prone to erosion, limiting the efficient delivery of high-pressure fluid for power augmentation.
Innovation Solution
A fluid delivery skid with a pre-fill system that utilizes stages with active and inactive states, featuring first and second valves to manage fluid pressurization and discharge, and a control unit to regulate pump operation, allowing for efficient fluid delivery to an injection apparatus without the need for multiple pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pumps are used to cover the water flow range, then the flow range is sufficient, but the system cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid delivery into multiple stages, where each stage has its own pump and spray array. Each stage operates independently to handle specific flow ranges, allowing the system to cover a broad water flow range (2-3 times minimum flow) while using fewer pumps than a single-stage system would require.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates or deactivates specific stages based on the required water flow rate. The control system adjusts which stages are operational to match the demand, optimizing the use of available pumps and maintaining adaptability across varying flow conditions without requiring all pumps to run continuously.
2Loss of energy
If recirculation valves are used to manage unused flow, then the flow is utilized, but the valves erode and become unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes recirculation valves from the system entirely by designing stages that can be independently deactivated. Instead of using valves to redirect unused flow back through the system, the solution extracts the problematic valve component and replaces it with a valveless recirculation approach where stages are simply turned off when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simpler, more reliable components in place of complex recirculation valve assemblies. By using basic on/off control of stage activation rather than complex recirculation valve mechanisms, the system achieves the same flow management function with more durable, maintenance-free components.
3Manufacturing precision
If a single spray array is used with high pressure, then the droplet size is small, but the pump's range of operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spray delivery into multiple independent spray arrays, each fed by its own pump stage. This allows each spray array to operate at optimized pressure levels for producing small droplets, while the overall system can handle a broad range of water flow rates by activating different combinations of stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting which stages are active and at what pressure levels. Each stage can be independently controlled to maintain optimal pressure for droplet generation, while the overall system adapts to different flow requirements by activating different numbers and combinations of stages.
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 reduces the number of pumps required, decreases system size and cost, and enhances reliability by using valves instead of pumps, ensuring efficient fluid delivery and maintaining flow and pressure ranges necessary for power augmentation while minimizing disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
fluid is received within the stage, pressurized to a first desired level
Implementation Method 2
The droplets are required to be of a small diameter to minimize potential damage to the gas turbine as well as to maximize the rate of evaporation inside the gas turbine intake
Implementation Method 3
Water is added to the intake air to saturate and cool the air as it enters the gas turbine
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid delivery skid with a pre-fill system for supplying fluid has one or more stages including a first valve and a second valve, each having an open and closed position. The stages have active and inactive states to provide a desired flow rate of fluid to an apparatus for distribution of the fluid. In an active state, fluid is received in the stage and pressurized with the first valve open and the second valve closed. Further, in an active state, fluid is released with the first valve closed and the second open. In an inactive state, at least the second valve is closed. A control unit is connected to a pump unit and controls operation of the pump to regulate the stages to supply pressure at a level determined to achieve the desired flow rate.