Steam-Injected Fuel Nozzle Assembly for Hydrogen Flame Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of hydrogen fuel in gas turbine engines poses challenges such as increased risk of flashback and flameholding due to its faster flame spread, higher flame temperatures, and higher NOx emissions, which are not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
Introducing steam into the fuel nozzle assembly to mix with gaseous hydrogen before combustion, controlling flame spread and reducing peak temperatures through strategic injection points, thereby limiting flashback and flameholding, and reducing NOx emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If hydrogen fuel is used in gas turbine engines, then energy efficiency and power output are improved, but flame spread speed increases causing flashback and flameholding risks
Solution Approach 1:
Steam is introduced as an intermediary substance between the hydrogen fuel and the combustion process. The steam mixes with the hydrogen in the fluid passage, acting as a mediator that reduces the flame spread speed while allowing the combustion process to continue. This intermediary approach enables the system to maintain power output while reducing the harmful flashback and flameholding effects of pure hydrogen combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fuel mixture by introducing steam. This alters the flame characteristics, specifically reducing the flame spread speed parameter. By modifying the composition and thermal properties of the fuel-steam mixture, the system achieves slower combustion that prevents flashback while maintaining adequate power generation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogen fuel is used in gas turbine engines, then energy density is improved, but flame temperature increases causing higher NOx emissions
Solution Approach 1:
Steam serves as an intermediary that interacts with the high-temperature combustion process. By mixing steam with hydrogen, the system introduces a substance that absorbs heat and reduces peak flame temperatures. This mediator approach allows the engine to utilize hydrogen's high energy density while the steam's heat absorption capacity reduces NOx formation by lowering the combustion temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal parameters of the combustion process by introducing steam. The steam modifies the temperature profile of the combustion, reducing peak temperatures that lead to NOx emissions. This parameter change enables the system to maintain energy density benefits while controlling harmful emissions through temperature management.
3Reliability
If steam is introduced to mix with hydrogen fuel, then flame speed is reduced limiting flashback, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam injection system is merged with the existing hydrogen fuel nozzle assembly. The steam injection ports are integrated into the fuel nozzle body, and the steam and hydrogen mixing occurs within the same fluid passage system. This merging approach reduces device complexity by combining multiple functions (fuel delivery and steam injection) into a single integrated assembly rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel nozzle assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a hydrogen delivery system and a steam injection system. The same nozzle structure handles both fuel and steam, and the fluid passage serves dual purposes for mixing and combustion control. This universal design reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated steam injection hardware.
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 introduction of steam with hydrogen fuel effectively limits flame speeds, reduces peak temperatures, and decreases NOx emissions, enhancing the safety and environmental performance of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
Introducing steam into the fuel nozzle assembly to mix with gaseous hydrogen before combustion
Implementation Method 2
reducing peak temperatures through strategic injection points
Implementation Method 3
mix with gaseous hydrogen before combustion
Implementation Method 4
controlling flame spread and reducing peak temperatures through strategic injection points, thereby limiting flashback and flameholding
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a gas turbine engine having a compressor section, a combustion section including a combustion chamber, and a turbine section in a serial flow arrangement, the method comprises providing gaseous hydrogen fuel to a gaseous fuel nozzle assembly fluidly coupled with the combustion chamber; providing steam to the gaseous fuel nozzle assembly. The method also comprises controlling a flame speed of a flame in the combustion chamber by providing the steam from the gaseous fuel nozzle assembly to the combustion chamber.