Superheated Steam Injection Turbine Engine for Exhaust Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines in aircraft suffer from inefficiencies due to the loss of thermal energy in the turbine section, which reduces overall engine performance and increases carbon emissions.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen-powered steam injection turbine engine that recaptures thermal energy from the exhaust gas to generate steam, which is then injected into the combustor to increase mass flow and power output without additional compressor work, utilizing a steam generation system and water recovery system to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thermal energy is exhausted from the turbine section to atmosphere, then the engine structure is simple, but the overall efficiency of the engine is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from the turbine exhaust into a beneficial resource by injecting it into the combustor to generate superheated steam. This steam is then used to drive a steam turbine, thereby converting previously wasted thermal energy into useful mechanical work and reducing overall energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the gas turbine system with a steam turbine system, creating a hybrid power generation system. The exhaust from the gas turbine is combined with water in the combustor to produce steam, which then drives the steam turbine. This integration allows both systems to work together to maximize energy utilization.
2Power
If steam is injected into the combustor to increase power output, then the power output increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor serves multiple functions: it continues to burn fuel to generate high-temperature gas for the gas turbine, while simultaneously acting as a steam generator by injecting water and exhaust heat to produce superheated steam for the steam turbine. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate steam generation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own exhaust heat to generate the steam required for power production. The high-temperature exhaust from the gas turbine provides the thermal energy needed to convert injected water into superheated steam, eliminating the need for an external heat source or separate boiler system.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrogen fuel is used to reduce carbon emissions, then the environmental impact is reduced, but the energy efficiency needs to be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere into a beneficial resource for steam generation. By injecting exhaust into the combustor and generating superheated steam, the system recovers thermal energy that would have been wasted, thereby improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining the use of clean hydrogen fuel.
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 engine achieves increased power output and reduced carbon emissions by effectively utilizing thermal energy from the exhaust gas to enhance turbine performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The steam generation system utilizes a portion of the thermal energy from the exhaust gas to evaporate a portion of the water
Implementation Method 2
The superheater superheats the steam to a temperature above the saturation temperature
Implementation Method 3
The steam turbine is driven by the superheated steam and is coupled to the compressor
Data Source
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AI summary
A turbine engine assembly includes a core engine (20) generating a high energy gas flow (55) that is expanded through a turbine section (32), a hydrogen fuel system (52) supplying hydrogen fuel to a combustor (30) through a fuel flow path (45), a condenser (80) extracting water from the high energy gas flow (55), an evaporator (72) inputting thermal energy into the water extracted by the condenser (80) to generate a steam flow (114), and at least one superheater (104) receiving the steam flow (114) from the evaporator (72) and input thermal energy for heating the steam flow (114). The steam flow (114) from the at least one superheater (104) is injected into the core flow path (25) upstream of the turbine section (32).