Turbine Combustor Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines waste a significant amount of exhaust gas and produce emissions like nitrogen oxides and unburnt fuel, which are not efficiently managed by existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that recirculates exhaust gases through a turbine combustor, using a flow sleeve to separate and direct combustion and recirculating fluids, allowing for cooling of the combustor liner and extraction of recirculated gases for downstream processes, thereby reducing emissions and increasing energy recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If exhaust gas is directly discharged into the atmosphere, then the system is simple, but a large amount of energy is wasted and emissions are not managed
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas flow is divided into multiple separate volumes (first volume, second volume, third volume) with distinct functions. The first volume handles combustion fluid, the second volume handles recirculated exhaust gas for cooling, and the third volume handles extracted exhaust gas. This segmentation allows efficient energy recovery and emission management while organizing the complexity into manageable functional sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine combustor system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it combusts fuel to generate power, recirculates exhaust gas to cool the liner, and extracts recirculated gas for downstream processes. This multi-functionality maximizes energy recovery from the exhaust stream while managing emissions, addressing both energy loss and system complexity through integrated design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If exhaust gas is recirculated to cool the liner, then emissions are reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sleeve divides the recirculated exhaust gas into different streams using separate volumes. The second volume directs flow along the liner for cooling purposes, reducing thermal stress and emissions. The third volume extracts recirculated gas for downstream applications. This segmentation of flow paths achieves emission reduction through controlled recirculation while organizing system complexity into distinct functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow sleeve acts as an intermediary component that separates and directs different portions of the recirculated exhaust gas stream. It mediates between the exhaust gas source and the various destinations (liner cooling and extraction), enabling emissions reduction through organized recirculation without requiring complex external control systems.
3Loss of energy
If multiple volumes are used to separate and direct exhaust gas flows, then energy recovery increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combustor is divided into multiple volumes with specific functions: the first volume for combustion fluid, the second volume for recirculated exhaust gas cooling, and the third volume for extracted recirculated gas. This segmentation enables comprehensive energy recovery by directing different portions of exhaust gas to appropriate destinations, maximizing utility while organizing complexity into functional modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions (combustion, cooling, extraction) within a single integrated turbine combustor assembly. By merging these functions into one device with internally separated volumes, the system achieves high energy recovery without requiring multiple separate external systems, thus managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
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 effectively reduces emissions and increases energy recovery by utilizing recirculated gases for cooling and downstream applications, enhancing the efficiency of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
direct the first flow of recirculated combustion products along the liner to cool the liner
Implementation Method 2
cool the liner using the first flow of the compressed combustion products
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a turbine combustor having a first volume configured to receive a combustion fluid and to direct the combustion fluid into a combustion chamber and a second volume configured to receive a first flow of an exhaust gas. The second volume is configured to direct a first portion of the first flow of the exhaust gas into the combustion chamber and to direct a second portion of the first flow of the exhaust gas into a third volume isolated from the first volume. The third volume is in fluid communication with an extraction conduit that is configured to direct the second portion of the first flow of the exhaust gas out of the turbine combustor.