Steam Ejector Injector for Turbine Combustion Flow Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for recovering and utilizing steam in gas turbine engines are in need of improvement to enhance the modulation of fluid flow for efficient combustion processes, particularly when using hydrogen fuel to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Innovation Solution
An injection system is provided that modulates fluid flow by regulating steam flow into the combustion chamber through an injector, using steam ejectors to increase or decrease the flow of fluid, and includes a structure with an internal volume and injectors to direct fluid and steam into the combustion chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If steam flow is increased to enhance fluid flow modulation, then combustion efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam injection function with the existing fuel injection system by integrating a steam ejector into the injector assembly. This merging approach allows steam to be introduced into the combustion chamber through the same injection infrastructure used for fuel, thereby enhancing fluid flow modulation and combustion efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The steam ejector acts as an intermediary device that uses steam flow to modulate the overall fluid flow into the combustion chamber. By positioning the steam ejector within the injector's inner passage, the system uses steam as a mediating fluid to control and enhance the flow of compressed air and fuel, achieving improved combustion efficiency through a relatively simple additive component
2Power
If steam ejector is added to increase fluid flow, then turbine engine performance is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam ejector is nested within the existing injector structure, with the ejector projecting partially into the inner passage of the injector. This nested configuration allows the steam ejector to be housed within the spatial envelope of the existing injection system, enabling performance optimization while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity and external dimensions
3Productivity
If steam flow regulation is used to modulate fluid flow, then combustion process efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steam ejector utilizes the kinetic energy and pressure of the steam flow itself to modulate the fluid flow into the combustion chamber, rather than requiring externally controlled valves or actuators. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for high-precision external control systems, as the steam flow characteristics naturally regulate the modulation process through the ejector's fixed geometric structure
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 enhances fluid flow into the combustion chamber, improving combustion efficiency and reducing greenhouse emissions by utilizing steam to control the flow of compressed air and fuel, thereby optimizing turbine engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
The injection system is configured to modulate a flow of the fluid into the combustion chamber through the injector by regulating a flow of the steam into the combustion chamber through the injector
Implementation Method 2
The injection system is configured to direct fluid and steam into the combustion chamber through the injector
Implementation Method 3
combusting the fuel-air mixture to generate combustion products
Implementation Method 4
quenching the combustion products within the combustion chamber using the flow of the fluid, the fluid comprising compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This assembly includes a combustor and an injection system. The combustor includes a combustion chamber. The injection system includes an injector. The injection system is configured to direct fluid and steam into the combustion chamber through the injector. The injection system is configured to modulate a flow of the fluid into the combustion chamber through the injector by regulating a flow of the steam into the combustion chamber through the injector.