Turbine Combustor Flow Distributor for Exhaust Gas Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges with high temperature exposure of combustor components and excessive air consumption, leading to reduced component lifespan and wasted exhaust gas, which is not effectively utilized in existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A turbine combustor system with a head end portion, combustion portion, and a flow distributor that circulates exhaust flow and oxidant flow circumferentially around the head end chamber, enabling stoichiometric exhaust gas recirculation and improved cooling of internal components, while also utilizing the exhaust gas for hydrocarbon production systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If exhaust gas is recirculated and cooled circumferentially around the head end chamber, then component lifespan is improved and maintenance costs are reduced, but device complexity increases due to the flow distributor system
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor is divided into distinct functional zones: a head end portion with head end chamber for cooling and sealing, a combustion portion for fuel combustion, and a cap portion. The flow distributor is segmented into multiple distributors positioned at different locations to independently control exhaust gas flow to various chambers, allowing targeted cooling without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distributor acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the exhaust gas source and the combustor chambers requiring cooling. It distributes exhaust gas circumferentially around the head end chamber and combustion chamber, enabling controlled thermal management without direct modification of the exhaust gas path or combustor structure.
2Loss of energy
If exhaust gas is recirculated for hydrocarbon production applications, then energy recovery and emissions utilization are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional routing and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor system is designed to perform multiple functions: power generation through combustion and simultaneous exhaust gas recirculation for hydrocarbon production applications such as enhanced oil recovery or carbon sequestration. The flow distributor enables the same exhaust gas stream to serve both cooling purposes and fuel synthesis feedstock, eliminating the need for separate extraction systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas recirculation path is merged with the cooling function, where exhaust gas serves dual purposes: cooling the combustor chambers circumferentially and providing feedstock for hydrocarbon production. This integration reduces the need for separate exhaust handling systems and simplifies the overall energy recovery architecture.
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 system enhances the longevity of combustor components, reduces maintenance costs, and effectively utilizes exhaust gas for hydrocarbon production by recirculating it for enhanced oil recovery and carbon sequestration, while minimizing emissions and increasing energy recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a flow distributor configured to distribute at least one of an exhaust flow, an oxidant flow, an oxidant-exhaust mixture, or any combination thereof circumferentially around the head end chamber
Implementation Method 2
enabling stoichiometric exhaust gas recirculation and improved cooling of internal components
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a turbine combustor that includes a head end portion having a head end chamber, a combustion portion having a combustion chamber disposed downstream from the head end chamber, a cap disposed between the head end chamber and the combustion chamber, and a flow distributor configured to distribute at least one of an exhaust flow, an oxidant flow, an oxidant-exhaust mixture, or any combination thereof circumferentially around the head end chamber.