Gas Turbine Sump Tank Segmented Baffles Offshore Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sump tanks in gas turbine engines on offshore vessels face challenges due to static and dynamic tilts, leading to uneven lubricant levels, back pressure in return lines, and exposure of suction lines to air pockets, which can cause lubricant sloshing and inefficiencies in lubricant management.
Innovation Solution
A sump tank design with multiple compartments and baffles that form circuitous lubricant flow paths, including angled central baffles to increase lubricant residence time and release entrained air, ensuring consistent lubricant levels and preventing air pockets in suction lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sump tank is subjected to static and dynamic offshore conditions, then the vessel may be tilted causing the sump tank to sway, but this results in uneven lubricant levels and back pressure in return lines
Solution Approach 1:
The sump tank is divided into multiple compartments using end baffles and central baffles. This segmentation prevents lubricant sloshing between compartments and maintains stable lubricant levels in each compartment, resolving the contradiction between adaptability to offshore conditions and lubricant level stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Baffles are introduced as intermediary structures between the lubricant and the tank walls. These baffles disrupt the direct transmission of vessel motion to the lubricant, reducing sloshing effects and maintaining stable lubricant levels despite offshore tilting conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sump tank sways due to dynamic tilt, then the lubricant may slosh within the tank, but this exposes suction lines to air pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is segmented into compartments by end baffles and central baffles, which restrict lubricant motion and prevent air pockets from forming and entering suction lines. Each compartment acts independently, containing sloshing effects and protecting the suction system.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffles, which initially seem to obstruct lubricant flow, actually convert the harmful sloshing motion into beneficial controlled circulation patterns. The circuitous flow paths created by baffles ensure lubricant continuously contacts tank surfaces, preventing air pocket formation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lubricant level varies due to tilt conditions, then back pressure is applied to lubricant return lines, but this reduces lubrication efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Segmentation of the sump tank into multiple compartments using end baffles and central baffles maintains stable lubricant levels in each compartment. This stability prevents back pressure in return lines and ensures consistent lubrication efficiency, while the overall system remains adaptable to tilt conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle design creates equipotential zones within compartments, ensuring that lubricant surfaces remain at stable levels despite external tilting forces. This equipotential effect prevents pressure variations that would otherwise reduce lubrication efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A sump tank for use with a gas turbine engine in offshore conditions is disclosed. In embodiments, the sump tank includes two circuitous lubricant flow paths. Each flow path includes an end compartment, a side compartment, and a tube that feed to a central compartment. The baffles used to form the central compartment are angled so as to cause the lubricant entering from the tubes to swirl, which may increase the residence time of the lubricant and may help ensure that any entrained air is released from the lubricant prior to entering the suction line.