Transition Piece Cooling via Flow Redirector
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine systems, the transition piece in the combustor discharge casing experiences high maintenance and replacement costs due to inadequate cooling, as it is exposed to severe hot gas path conditions, leading to reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A flow redirector is integrated into the compressor discharge casing to increase airflow velocity across the transition piece and reduce recirculation, enhancing cooling efficiency by improving heat transfer and relocating recirculation zones away from the transition piece surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If natural flow cooling is used without flow redirector, then the structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient leading to reduced component lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
A flow redirector is introduced as an intermediary component between the compressor discharge air flow and the transition piece. This flow redirector actively manages the cooling air flow, directing it to wrap around and cool the transition piece more effectively, thereby extending component lifespan without requiring fundamental changes to the overall system architecture.
2Temperature
If flow velocity is increased to improve cooling efficiency, then heat transfer improves, but recirculation increases which reduces cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The flow redirector creates locally optimized flow conditions by directing cooling air to specifically wrap around the transition piece surface. This local flow management ensures high velocity contact cooling where needed while preventing recirculation zones from forming in critical areas, thus maintaining both cooling efficiency and flow stability.
3Loss of energy
If recirculation zones are present in the airflow space, then flow patterns are complex, but cooling effectiveness is reduced due to insufficient heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The flow redirector extracts and removes harmful recirculation zones from the cooling airflow path. By actively redirecting the flow, recirculation is eliminated from critical cooling regions, ensuring continuous effective heat transfer from the transition piece to the cooling air without the inefficiencies associated with recirculating flow patterns.
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 solution effectively prolongs the lifespan of the transition piece by enhancing cooling efficiency, reducing maintenance and replacement costs through increased airflow velocity and reduced recirculation, thereby improving heat transfer and maintaining system performance.
Implementation Method 1
Cool compressor discharge air enters the compressor discharge can and naturally flows across the transition piece, thereby cooling the transition piece
Implementation Method 2
A flow redirector is integrated into the compressor discharge casing to increase airflow velocity across the transition piece and reduce recirculation, enhancing cooling efficiency by improving heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a compressor discharge can including a transition piece and a flow redirector located about the transition piece, defining an airflow space therebetween, the flow redirector configured to reduce recirculation of flow in the airflow space.