Turbine Engine Fine Particle Separation via Arc Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inlet particle separators in turbine engines are inefficient in separating fine particles, such as sand, which can lead to performance degradation and reduced engine life due to their low efficiency in capturing particles smaller than 20 microns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a turbine engine design that includes a radial compressor, a radially-oriented diffuser, and a flow path with an arc that redirects air from a radial to an axial direction, featuring an extraction slot or plurality of holes connecting to a scavenge plenum, positioned downstream from the diffuser to effectively capture fine particles before they enter the combustion section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inlet particle separators are used, then large particles (>20 microns) can be separated with relatively high efficiency, but fine particles (smaller than 20 microns) are not effectively separated, leading to them being ingested into the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The particle separation system is divided into two distinct stages: a conventional inlet particle separator for large particles and a secondary fine particle separator positioned within the engine. This segmentation allows each stage to specialize in different particle sizes, with the fine particle separator specifically targeting particles smaller than 20 microns that would otherwise be ingested into the engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The fine particle separator utilizes a different separation dimension by positioning extraction slots in the outer annular wall at specific radial and axial locations. This creates a three-dimensional separation zone that captures fine particles through a combination of radial and axial flow components, effectively removing particles that conventional two-dimensional inlet separators miss.
2Reliability
If conventional inlet particle separators are used, then the structure remains simple, but fine particle separation efficiency is low, causing performance degradation and reduced engine life
Solution Approach 1:
The fine particle separator is nested within the existing engine structure, utilizing the space between the compressor outlet and combustor inlet. The extraction slots are integrated into the outer annular wall of the flow path, and the scavenge plenum is positioned within the engine housing. This nested configuration adds fine particle separation capability without requiring a completely separate external system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path structure serves multiple functions: it guides compressed air from the compressor, provides the extraction slots for fine particle removal, and directs flow to the combustor. The scavenge plenum simultaneously collects fine particles and maintains pressure balance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
3Reliability
If fine particle separation means are added to the engine, then fine particle separation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction slots are positioned at specific locations in the outer annular wall where fine particles are most concentrated and where the flow velocity and pressure gradients are most favorable for particle extraction. This localized approach to particle removal, rather than uniform separation throughout the entire flow path, achieves effective fine particle separation with minimal additional structural 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 design significantly improves the separation efficiency of fine particles, preventing them from entering the combustion section and reducing maintenance and performance issues associated with particle ingestion.
Implementation Method 1
a radially-oriented diffuser located downstream and radially outward, with respect to the longitudinal axis, from the radial compressor, and which decreases a velocity of and increases a static pressure of the compressed air exiting the radial compressor
Implementation Method 2
the flow path comprises an arc that redirects the compressed air from flowing in a substantially radial flow direction to a substantially axial flow direction
Implementation Method 3
The inertia of relatively larger ones of the suspended particles tends to cause these particles to travel in a straight line rather than follow the fluid passageway
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A turbine engine incorporating a fine particle separation means includes a radial compressor that rotates about a longitudinal axis, a radially-oriented diffuser located downstream and radially outward, with respect to the longitudinal axis, from the radial compressor, and a flow path positioned downstream and radially outward, with respect to the longitudinal axis, from the diffuser, wherein the flow path comprises an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall between which the compressed air flows, and wherein the flow path comprises an arc the redirects the compressed air from flowing in a substantially radial flow direction to a substantially axial flow direction. The turbine engine further includes an extraction slot in the outer annular wall that fluidly connects with a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the outer annular wall at a position downstream axially along the flow path from the arc.