Swirl-Vane Flow-Blurring Atomizer for Broader Spray Plumes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engines face challenges in operating with low-quality fuels due to clogging issues in narrow fuel injection routes, and conventional flow-blurring atomizers produce narrow spray plumes unsuitable for stable combustion in gas turbines.
Innovation Solution
An atomizer design incorporating swirl vanes to impart tangential momentum to the atomizing air, broadening the spray plume and enhancing turbulent mixing for stable combustion, using an annular sidewall and vanes to create a broader, hollow conical spray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional flow-blurring atomizer design is used, then fine droplet distribution is achieved, but spray plume remains narrow and unsuitable for stable combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension to the spray plume by implementing swirl motion around the central axis. The atomizing air is given tangential velocity components that create rotational flow, expanding the plume from a narrow linear structure into a broader conical shape with radial and tangential velocity components, thereby increasing spray width while maintaining droplet quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing swirl vanes that impart rotational motion to the atomizing air stream. The tangential momentum given to the air through these vanes creates a swirling flow field that broadens the spray plume conically, transforming the aerodynamic structure without compromising the atomization quality achieved by the flow-blurring design
2Manufacturing precision
If narrow spray plume is produced, then fine atomization is achieved, but turbulent mixing with surrounding air is insufficient for stable combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds rotational motion as a third dimension to the spray plume structure. The swirl-induced tangential velocity creates a conical expansion pattern that increases the interaction surface area between the fuel droplets and surrounding air, enhancing turbulent mixing while preserving the fine atomization characteristics through the maintained flow-blurring mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a hollow conical spray plume structure that copies the effective mixing characteristics of broader sprays while maintaining the fine atomization of narrow sprays. The swirling flow field replicates the beneficial aerodynamic interactions of wide-angle sprays without sacrificing the droplet quality control achieved by flow-blurring atomization
3Shape
If solid conical spray plume is used, then narrow spray pattern is achieved, but lifted flames occur that are susceptible to acoustic coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the spray plume from a solid conical structure into a hollow conical structure by introducing swirl motion. The tangential velocity components create a rotational flow field that pushes droplets outward, forming a hollow core region that prevents flame lifting and the associated acoustic coupling issues while maintaining spray concentration at the periphery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional solid conical spray structure by creating a hollow cone configuration. Instead of filling the entire conical volume with droplets, the swirl-induced flow concentrates droplets at the periphery while leaving the center region relatively clear, thereby preventing the flame anchoring issues associated with solid conical plumes
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 design achieves a 31% increase in plume spread and improved mixing, enabling stable combustion and anchoring, suitable for gas turbines and other applications requiring broader spray cones.
Implementation Method 1
the flow is imparted with swirling motion from the plurality of vanes
Implementation Method 2
The tangential momentum imposed by the swirl also increases the turbulent mixing between the plume and the surrounding air
Implementation Method 3
local shear forms and stretches thin ligaments as air travels out of the nozzle
Implementation Method 4
Surface tension breaks apart the ligaments into droplets to produce primary atomization
Data Source
AI summary
An atomizer includes an endcap having a nozzle; an annular sidewall extending outward from a surface of the endcap and situated radially outward from the nozzle; and a plurality of vanes extending radially inward from the sidewall and axially outward from the endcap, the vanes being set at a non-zero angle of incidence to the sidewall. The annular sidewall and endcap define an fluid chamber between an inlet and the nozzle, and flow from the inlet to the nozzle is at least partially directed through passageways between the vanes, and the flow is imparted with swirling motion from the vanes.