Turbine Vane Fluid Injection for Isothermal Expansion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines experience temperature variations during expansion through turbine stages, which affect efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
An isothermal expansion system with fluid injectors and flame stabilizers is implemented to vary the axial positions of combustion, controlling temperature variations across turbine blades by distributing heat release uniformly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If combustion gas flow expands through turbine stages, then work is produced and power is generated, but temperature variations occur during expansion which reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine stage is segmented into multiple zones with individual fluid injectors positioned at different axial locations. Each injector can be controlled independently to manage temperature distribution across different sections of the turbine, allowing precise control over expansion characteristics while maintaining power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermodynamic parameters of the combustion gas by injecting fluids (such as liquid aerosols or gases) at controlled rates and positions. This modifies the expansion process to reduce temperature variations, moving closer to isothermal expansion conditions while preserving the work-producing capability of the turbine.
2Temperature
If fluid injectors are added to control combustion positions, then temperature variations are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid injectors are designed to serve multiple functions: they control axial combustion positions, regulate temperature distribution, and can adapt to varying load conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems for each objective, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamically adjustable fluid injection rates and positions that can be modified in response to varying operational conditions. This dynamic capability allows the same hardware configuration to maintain temperature uniformity across different load levels, reducing the need for multiple fixed systems and thereby controlling 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
Achieves isothermal expansion, maintaining consistent temperature across turbine stages, enhancing efficiency and performance under varying load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of fluid injectors configured to vary axial positions of combustion within a turbine stage expansion of the turbine stage to reduce temperature variations over the turbine stage expansion
Implementation Method 2
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine driven by a combustion gas flow from the combustor
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a gas turbine having a turbine shaft disposed along a rotational axis, a turbine casing disposed circumferentially about the turbine shaft, a combustion gas path disposed between the turbine shaft and the turbine casing, a turbine stage disposed in the combustion gas path, wherein the turbine stage includes a plurality of turbine vanes disposed upstream from a plurality of turbine blades. The system includes an isothermal expansion system coupled to the turbine stage. The isothermal expansion system includes a plurality of fluid injectors configured to vary axial positions of combustion within a turbine stage expansion of the turbine stage to reduce temperature variations over the turbine stage expansion, wherein at least one fluid injector of the plurality of fluid injectors is coupled to each of the plurality of turbine vanes.