Gas Turbine Cooling System Partial Load Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine cooling systems are inefficient and costly, particularly for components not directly subjected to high-temperature gas, leading to rapid deterioration and increased maintenance costs, and struggle to maintain optimal temperature during partial load operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and cooling system that involves compressing a working fluid, feeding it into multiple cavities of the expansion turbine using ducts and an ejector system, with a control system to selectively increase fluid flow during partial load conditions, ensuring temperature remains within material resistance limits by monitoring thermodynamic parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sophisticated cooling techniques (film cooling, impingement, forced turbulence) are applied to components upstream from the expansion course, then the temperature resistance and reliability of these components improve, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent circuits: a first cooling circuit for components directly subjected to high-temperature gas (combustion chamber, first expansion turbine components) and a second cooling circuit for other components. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability where most critical.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cooling strategies are applied to different locations based on their specific thermal requirements. Components upstream from the expansion course and the combustion chamber receive sophisticated cooling (film cooling, impingement), while other components use simpler cooling methods. This localized approach optimizes reliability for critical components without unnecessarily complicating the cooling of less critical components.
2Reliability
If the cooling system is modified to improve cooling of specific components, then the temperature control and reliability improve, but the maintenance cost and system modification complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate circuits that can be independently maintained and modified. The first cooling circuit serves critical high-temperature components while the second circuit serves other components. This independence allows maintenance or modification of one circuit without affecting the other, reducing maintenance complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cooling circuit is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools components not directly subjected to high-temperature gas, and can be selectively activated during partial load operations when the first cooling circuit alone is insufficient. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, lowering overall maintenance requirements.
3Device complexity
If the first cooling circuit operates alone during partial load conditions, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the temperature of components may exceed acceptable limits due to insufficient cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operating conditions. During full load operations, only the first cooling circuit operates. During partial load operations, the control system activates the second cooling circuit to supplement cooling where needed. This dynamic adaptation ensures temperature control across all operating ranges without requiring the system to be over-designed for worst-case scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cooling circuit acts as an intermediary supplement to the first cooling circuit during partial load operations. It provides additional cooling capacity specifically where the first circuit becomes insufficient, mediated through the control system that monitors temperature and activates the second circuit only when needed, maintaining simplicity while ensuring adequate cooling.
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 solution effectively cools all cavities, including those at full and partial load operations, reduces maintenance costs, and optimizes performance by maintaining temperature within acceptable limits, even at low fluid flow conditions, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of gas turbines.
Implementation Method 1
fluidly connecting the first tapping to the second tapping to selectively feed the first tapping by means of a part of the second tapping
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method for a gas turbine is provided which includes compressing a working fluid by a compressor, feeding this compressed working fluid into at least one combustion chamber where it is overheated, expanding this overheated working fluid in at least one expansion turbine to produce energy, carrying out a first tapping of the compressed work fluid from the compressor to feed it into a first cavity of the turbine for cooling, carrying out a second tapping of the working fluid downstream from the first tapping to feed it into a second cavity of the turbine upstream from the first cavity, for cooling, and fluidly connecting the first tapping to the second tapping to selectively feed the first tapping by a part of the second tapping during partial load operation conditions to keep the temperature of the first cavity within the acceptable limits for the resistance of the materials.