Superheated Steam Injection for Gas Turbine Combustors

The patent applies parameter changes by injecting steam into the fuel stream to modify the Wobbe Index of the fuel mixture. By controlling the steam injection rate, the system dynamically adjusts the fuel properties (heating value, specific gravity) to maintain combustor operability within acceptable ranges while utilizing high-energy HRFs. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the fuel parameters to match combustor requirements.

Steam acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high-energy HRF and the combustor. The steam injection system introduces a controllable diluent that adjusts the fuel's energy content and flow characteristics, allowing the combustor to operate reliably with HRFs that would otherwise cause combustion instability and emissions problems.

Instead of using expensive inert gases like nitrogen for dilution, the patent changes the approach by injecting steam - a byproduct of the heat recovery process - into the fuel stream. This modifies the fuel's Wobbe Index and heating value to match combustor requirements without incurring additional material costs, thereby maintaining operability while reducing system costs.

The patent converts the typically wasted heat from turbine exhaust into useful steam that serves as a fuel modifier. By generating steam through heat recovery and using it to adjust fuel properties, the system transforms a waste product into a valuable resource that maintains combustor operability without requiring expensive inert gas purchases or additional processing equipment.

The patent applies partial action by injecting only the necessary amount of steam to achieve the target Wobbe Index range, rather than fully diluting the HRF to natural gas properties. This partial modification maintains fuel interchangeability while preserving more of the HRF's inherent high energy content, thereby improving energy efficiency compared to complete dilution approaches.

The system dynamically adjusts fuel parameters (Wobbe Index, heating value, specific gravity) through controlled steam injection to achieve interchangeability with natural gas. By making precise parameter adjustments rather than complete transformations, the system maintains compatibility with existing combustors while retaining the energy advantages of HRFs.

The system implements self-service by using steam generated from the turbine's own exhaust heat to modify the fuel properties. The heat recovery steam generator produces steam that is then recirculated to the fuel injection system, creating a self-sustaining loop where the system's waste heat serves the dual purpose of power generation and fuel modification, minimizing external resource requirements.

The patent converts the waste heat from turbine exhaust - which would otherwise be discarded - into useful steam for fuel modification. This transforms a harmful waste product into a beneficial resource that broadens operability range without requiring additional steam generation capacity or external energy inputs.