Turbine Burner Failure Detection via Annular Temperature Spread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting combustor failures in turbine systems without disassembling the system and identifying the specific burner failure in a simple and effective manner is challenging, as existing methods are complex and not easily applicable.
Innovation Solution
The method involves deploying temperature sensors annularly at the outlet of the turbine downstream of the combustor, calculating a temperature spread indicator, and comparing it to thresholds to detect burner failures, with a digital signal processing unit determining the severity of the failure and triggering corrective actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex detection methods are used to detect combustor failures, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection function from complex internal combustor monitoring and relocates it to temperature sensors positioned at the turbine outlet. By measuring temperature variations in the exhaust stream, the system detects burner failures without requiring sensors inside the combustor or complex disassembly procedures, thus maintaining high detection reliability while simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the exhaust gas temperature as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect burner failures. Instead of directly monitoring burner status or combustor internal conditions, the system measures temperature variations in the exhaust stream that result from burner failures, providing a reliable indirect detection method that avoids complex direct monitoring systems.
2Ease of operation
If simple detection methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the detection task by using multiple temperature sensors positioned at different angular locations around the turbine outlet. Each sensor monitors a specific sector, and by comparing readings across sensors, the system precisely identifies which burner has failed. This segmentation approach maintains simple operation while achieving high detection precision through multi-point measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by positioning temperature sensors at specific angular locations corresponding to specific burners. Each sensor's reading is locally correlated with a particular burner's status, allowing precise identification of the failed burner. This localized measurement approach ensures high detection precision while maintaining system simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If temperature sensors are positioned at the turbine outlet, then ease of operation is improved by avoiding disassembly, but device complexity increases due to sensor arrangement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the temperature sensors multi-functional by using them both for normal turbine operation monitoring and for specific burner failure detection. The same sensors that monitor general exhaust temperature also detect burner failures through angular position analysis, eliminating the need for separate dedicated failure detection sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds an angular dimension to the temperature measurement by positioning sensors at different circumferential locations around the turbine outlet. This spatial arrangement in the angular dimension allows the system to identify which specific burner has failed based on which sensor detects the temperature anomaly, providing precise burner identification without increasing operational complexity.
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
This approach allows for early detection and identification of burner failures, facilitating timely corrective measures, such as alarms or system tripping, with minimal system disruption and without requiring extensive disassembly, thereby ensuring operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a plurality of temperatures through the plurality of temperature sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The method is used for detecting one failure in a burner of a combustor of a turbine system; the combustor comprises a plurality of burners arranged annularly; the turbine system comprises a turbine downstream of the combustor, the method comprising the steps of: A) providing a plurality of temperature sensors arranged annularly at the outlet of the turbine, B) detecting a plurality of temperatures through the plurality of temperature sensors, C) calculating a temperature spread indicator as a function of the plurality of temperatures, and D) carrying out a comparison the temperature spread indicator and a threshold; a positive result of this comparison indicates a burner failure.