Swirler Vane Air Circuit for Combustor Flame Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swirler assemblies in gas turbine combustors face limitations in flame holding margins due to flow deficits on the suction side of the vane turning region, leading to reduced performance and locally enriched air/fuel regions.
Innovation Solution
A swirler assembly design that includes an air circuit in the swirler vanes, allowing for the injection of high-pressure compressor discharge air on either the pressure or suction side of the vanes to enhance fuel mixing and eliminate pressure deficits, thereby improving flame stability and mixing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional swirler assembly design is used, then结构简单 (structure is simple), but flame holding margin is limited due to flow deficits on suction side
Solution Approach 1:
The swirler vane is divided into multiple functional regions: a suction side surface, a pressure side surface, and integrated air injection passages. The air injection system is segmented into multiple injection holes distributed across the vane surfaces, allowing localized flow control to address suction side deficits while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Compressor discharge air is introduced as an intermediary substance through injection passages and holes in the swirler vane. This high-pressure air acts as a mediator to compensate for flow deficits on the suction side, improve mixing, and enhance flame holding margin without requiring fundamental changes to the combustor architecture.
2Productivity
If compressor discharge air is injected through the swirler vane, then fuel mixing is improved and flame stability increases, but device complexity increases due to additional air circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The air injection passages are integrated directly into the swirler vane structure itself, merging the air injection function with the existing swirling flow generation component. This eliminates the need for separate injection devices and reduces overall system complexity despite adding injection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The swirler vane is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating swirling flow, injecting compressor discharge air, and facilitating fuel-air mixing. This multi-functionality consolidates several components into one, improving productivity while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If air injection is implemented on suction side, then flow deficits are eliminated and flame holding margin increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swirler vane incorporates porous-like structures in the form of multiple injection holes distributed across the surface. These holes allow compressor discharge air to be injected directly where needed on the suction side, eliminating flow deficits and improving flame holding margin. The hole patterns can be manufactured using standard drilling or additive manufacturing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection parameters (hole diameter, distribution pattern, injection pressure) are optimized to achieve the desired flow compensation effect. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves improved flame holding margin while maintaining manufacturability through conventional fabrication methods.
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 air injection into the swirler assembly increases the flame holding margin, improves fuel mixing, and enhances the operability and stability of the combustor by reducing local rich fuel pockets and flow deficits.
Implementation Method 1
An air circuit is provided in each of the plurality of vanes. Each of the air circuits includes an air entry passage into the vanes and an air exit passage on the low pressure side of the vanes... injection of high-pressure compressor discharge air... to enhance fuel mixing and eliminate pressure deficits
Implementation Method 2
A swirler assembly includes circumferentially spaced apart vanes for swirling and mixing the compressed air flow and the fuel passing therethrough
Implementation Method 3
swirling and mixing the compressed air flow and the fuel passing therethrough... improves fuel mixing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A swirler assembly (2) in a gas turbine combustor includes a hub (201), a shroud, and a plurality of vanes (23) connected between the hub (201) and the shroud (202). The vanes (23) include a high pressure side (231) on which air and fuel impinge the vanes (23) and a low pressure side (232). An air circuit is provided in each of the plurality of vanes (23) receiving discharge air from a compressor. Each of the air circuits includes an air entry passage (233) into the vanes (23) and an air exit passage on the low pressure side (232) of the vanes (23).