Gas Turbine Sorbent Regeneration via Perforated Tube Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine filtration systems require frequent replacement of sorbent material, leading to downtime and potential spikes in contaminant ingestion during operation, as the sorbent material becomes saturated with gaseous contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A sorbent regeneration and recirculation system utilizing an array of perforated tubes with a solids feed system that channels sorbent material through the tubes, regenerates spent sorbent material away from the intake air flow, and continuously recirculates unsaturated sorbent material to maintain filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sorbent material is used to remove gaseous contaminants from intake air, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the sorbent material becomes saturated and requires replacement, causing downtime and potential contaminant spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where spent sorbent material is continuously recovered and regenerated in-situ within the filter assembly. The regeneration system uses thermal processing to restore the sorbent's contaminant-removal capacity, allowing it to be reused without removal from the system. This eliminates the need for shutdowns and replacements, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining filtration efficiency and avoiding downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous operation of the filtration system by implementing an in-situ regeneration capability. The sorbent material is continuously regenerated within the filter assembly while the gas turbine operates, ensuring uninterrupted contaminant removal. This continuous action prevents the downtime and contaminant spikes that would occur with traditional replacement methods.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If sorbent material is replaced during operation of the gas turbine engine, then continuous operation is maintained, but a spike in contaminants ingested by the engine will occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers spent sorbent material and regenerates it in-situ through thermal processing. By continuously restoring the sorbent's capacity within the filter assembly, the system maintains effective contaminant removal during continuous operation, preventing the contaminant spikes that would occur during traditional replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-situ regeneration system ensures continuous effective filtration by maintaining sorbent capacity without removal or replacement. The regenerated sorbent continues to remove contaminants seamlessly, preventing the harmful contaminant spikes that would occur if saturated material were replaced during operation.
3Productivity
If saturated filter media are removed to enable continued operation, then the gas turbine can continue running, but filtration efficiency drops during replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and regenerates sorbent material in-situ within the filter assembly, eliminating the need to remove filter media for replacement. The continuous regeneration process maintains filtration efficiency while enabling uninterrupted gas turbine operation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-situ regeneration system maintains continuous filtration efficiency by constantly restoring sorbent capacity within the operating filter assembly. This eliminates the efficiency drop that would occur during traditional media removal and replacement, allowing continuous operation without compromising filtration performance.
4Reliability
If sorbent material is frequently replaced to maintain filtration efficiency, then contaminant removal is ensured, but system complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers spent sorbent material and regenerates it in-situ through an integrated thermal processing system. This eliminates the need for frequent manual replacement operations and complex logistics for media disposal and replenishment, reducing operational burden while maintaining continuous filtration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-situ regeneration system provides continuous sorbent capacity restoration without requiring system shutdown or manual intervention for replacement. This eliminates the operational burden of frequent media changes while maintaining reliable filtration efficiency, effectively reducing the complexity of sorbent management.
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 system reduces downtime and maintains filtration efficiency by continuously regenerating and recirculating sorbent material, ensuring effective removal of gaseous contaminants without reintroducing contaminant-rich off-gases into the intake air.
Implementation Method 1
Each perforated tube comprises a solids inlet and a solids outlet. This system also includes a solids feed system comprising a feed line coupled in flow communication with said solids inlet and configured to channel sorbent material through each perforated tube in said array. The sorbent material is configured to remove gaseous contaminants entrained in the flow of intake air.
Implementation Method 2
The solids feed system may also include a heater coupled in flow communication with said recycle line. The heater is configured to regenerate the spent sorbent material.
Implementation Method 3
The heater is configured to regenerate the spent sorbent material... as the spent sorbent material is regenerated
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A filtration system and methods of assembly and operation are provided. The filtration system includes an array of perforated tubes in flow communication with a flow of intake air. Each perforated tube comprises a solids inlet and a solids outlet. The system also includes a solids feed system comprising a feed line coupled in flow communication with said solids inlet and configured to channel sorbent material through each perforated tube in said array. The filtration system also includes a monitoring arrangement for monitoring a parameter associated with the intake air, and varying the operation of the system based upon said parameter.