Turbine Compressor Extraction Bleed System for Exhaust Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine waste heat recovery systems face challenges during startup due to elevated exhaust temperatures that can damage components, and existing attemperation methods may not be energy efficient or cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that redirect cooler fluid from the turbine system's bleed valves and compressor extractions to the exhaust stream and waste heat recovery systems, eliminating the need for air attemperation and enhancing energy efficiency by reusing compressor discharge fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air attemperation is used to cool exhaust stream during startup, then exhaust temperature is reduced to prevent damage, but energy efficiency decreases and additional equipment (attemperation fans) is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust temperatureVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses compressor discharge fluid (a resource already present in the system) to cool the exhaust stream during startup, eliminating the need for external attemperation fans and associated energy consumption. The compressor fluid serves dual purposes: driving the turbine and cooling the exhaust.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding compressor discharge fluid to atmosphere, the system recovers and redirects it to cool the exhaust stream. This recovers the cooling potential of the compressor fluid and eliminates waste of both the fluid and the cooling opportunity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If air attemperation fans are installed to cool exhaust, then component damage is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system protects exhaust components during startup using only the compressor fluid already present in the system, eliminating the need for additional attemperation fan equipment and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts what would be wasted compressor discharge fluid (directed to atmosphere) into a beneficial cooling resource for the exhaust stream, turning a potential waste into a protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If compressor discharge fluid is directed to atmosphere, then system operation is simplified, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operationVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding compressor discharge fluid to atmosphere, the system recovers it and redirects to useful purposes: cooling the exhaust stream and potentially powering the turbine, thereby eliminating energy waste while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor discharge fluid serves multiple functions: it can cool the exhaust stream during startup, and can be directed to the turbine for power generation during normal operation, maximizing the utility of a single resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces component wear, improves energy efficiency, and eliminates the need for attemperation fans, while enabling more controlled startup operations and increased energy recovery in gas turbine systems.

Implementation Method 1

redirect cooler fluid from the turbine system's bleed valves and compressor extractions to the exhaust stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The heat exchanger may recover additional thermal energy from the exhaust by and convert it to a more usable form, such as, but not limited to, steam suitable to power one or more steam turbines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS10907511B2System and method for recovering turbine system extractions

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

An embodiment includes a power production system having a compressor system compressing a fluid. The system further includes a combustor system combusting compressed fluid and a fuel. The system additionally includes a turbine system configured produce power and an exhaust stream and a first exhaust processing system fluidly coupled to the turbine system and configured to receive the exhaust stream. The system also includes a first bleed system fluidly coupled to a first location in the compressor system, to a second location downstream of the compressor system and upstream of the first exhaust processing system, to a third location in the first exhaust processing system, to a fourth location downstream of the first exhaust processing system, or a combination thereof, and configured to redirect a first compressor extraction from the first location to the second location, to the third location, to the fourth location, or to the combination thereof.