Patent Application
20240377066
A gas turbine engine typically includes a compressor section, a turbine section, and a combustion section disposed therebetween. The compressor section includes multiple stages of rotating compressor blades and stationary compressor vanes. The combustion section typically includes a plurality of combustors. The turbine section includes multiple stages of rotating turbine blades and stationary turbine vanes.
The combustor may include fuel injectors for providing a fuel to be mixed with compressed air from the compressor section and an ignition source for igniting the mixture to form hot exhaust gas for the turbine section. Gas turbine combustion can produce undesirable emissions including unburnt hydrocarbons. In addition, operation at higher temperatures results in higher efficiency. It is therefore desirable to operate at the highest temperature possible and to assure thorough combustion within the combustor.
In one aspect, a combustor includes a premixer fuel injector that injects a fuel into the combustor and ignites a mixture of the fuel and a compressed air to produce an exhaust gas. The combustor includes a transition duct defining an interior through which the exhaust gas passes. The transition duct defines an opening therethrough. The opening has an upstream side and a downstream side defined by a flow direction of the exhaust gas. The combustor includes a secondary fuel injector disposed in the opening that injects further fuel to the exhaust gas. The combustor includes a collar fixedly coupled to the transition duct and positioned to surround the secondary fuel injector. The collar has a first end positioned to an exterior of the transition duct, a second end fixed on the transition duct around the opening, and a wall therebetween. The collar cooperates with the secondary fuel injector to define an upstream purge path at least partially disposed on the upstream side and a downstream purge path at least partially disposed on the downstream side that each provides a flow communication between the exterior of the transition duct and the interior of the transition duct. The upstream purge path has a larger flow area than the downstream purge path.
In one aspect, a combustor includes a transition duct defining an interior through which a flow of combustion gases passes in a flow direction. The transition duct defines an opening therethrough. The opening has an upstream side and a downstream side defined by the flow direction. The combustor includes a secondary fuel injector at least partially disposed within the opening to inject fuel into the flow of combustion gases. The combustor includes a collar fixedly coupled to the transition duct and positioned to surround the opening. The collar cooperates with the secondary fuel injector to define an upstream purge path at least partially disposed on the upstream side of the opening and a downstream purge path at least partially disposed on the downstream side of the opening that each provides a flow communication between an exterior of the transition duct and the interior of the transition duct. The upstream purge path has a larger flow area than the downstream purge path.
In one aspect, a combustor includes a transition duct defining an interior through which a flow of combustion gases passes in a flow direction. The transition duct defines an opening therethrough. The opening has an upstream side and a downstream side defined by the flow direction. The combustor includes a secondary fuel injector at least partially disposed within the opening to inject fuel into the flow of combustion gases. The combustor includes a collar fixedly coupled to the transition duct and positioned to surround the opening. The collar cooperates with the secondary fuel injector to define an upstream purge path at least partially disposed on the upstream side of the opening and a downstream purge path at least partially disposed on the downstream side of the opening that each provides a flow communication between an exterior of the transition duct and the interior of the transition duct. The upstream purge path has a larger flow area than the downstream purge path. The collar includes a plurality of upstream apertures facing the upstream side of the opening and a plurality of downstream apertures facing the downstream side of the opening. The plurality of upstream apertures define the upstream purge path and the plurality of downstream apertures define the downstream purge path. A size of each upstream aperture of the plurality of upstream apertures is larger than a size of each downstream aperture of the plurality of downstream apertures. A total number of the plurality of upstream apertures is more than a total number of the plurality of downstream apertures. The upstream purge path has a larger circumferential length around a perimeter of the collar than the downstream purge path. The upstream purge path and the downstream purge path are separated by two ribs disposed in an inner surface of the collar.
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in this description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Various technologies that pertain to systems and methods will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. The drawings discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged apparatus. It is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system elements may be performed by multiple elements. Similarly, for instance, an element may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple elements. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to exemplary non-limiting embodiments.
Also, it should be understood that the words or phrases used herein should be construed broadly, unless expressly limited in some examples. For example, the terms “including,” “having,” and “comprising,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Furthermore, while multiple embodiments or constructions may be described herein, any features, methods, steps, components, etc. described with regard to one embodiment are equally applicable to other embodiments absent a specific statement to the contrary.
Also, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and so forth may be used herein to refer to various elements, information, functions, or acts, these elements, information, functions, or acts should not be limited by these terms. Rather these numeral adjectives are used to distinguish different elements, information, functions or acts from each other. For example, a first element, information, function, or act could be termed a second element, information, function, or act, and, similarly, a second element, information, function, or act could be termed a first element, information, function, or act, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Also, in the description, the terms “axial” or “axially” refer to a direction along a longitudinal axis of a gas turbine engine. The terms “radial” or “radially” refer to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine. The terms “downstream” or “aft” refer to a direction along a flow direction. The terms “upstream” or “forward” refer to a direction against the flow direction.
In addition, the term “adjacent to” may mean: that an element is relatively near to but not in contact with a further element; or that the element is in contact with the further portion, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Terms “about” or “substantially” or like terms are intended to cover variations in a value that are within normal industry manufacturing tolerances for that dimension. If no industry standard is available, a variation of twenty percent would fall within the meaning of these terms unless otherwise stated.
The compressor section 102 is in fluid communication with an inlet section 118 to allow the gas turbine engine 100 to draw atmospheric air into the compressor section 102. During operation of the gas turbine engine 100, the compressor section 102 draws in atmospheric air and compresses that air for delivery to the combustion section 104. The illustrated compressor section 102 is an example of one compressor section 102 with other arrangements and designs being possible.
In the illustrated construction, the combustion section 104 includes a plurality of separate combustors 120 that each operates to mix a flow of fuel with the compressed air from the compressor section 102 and to combust that air-fuel mixture to produce a flow of high temperature, high pressure combustion gases or exhaust gas 122. Of course, many other arrangements of the combustion section 104 are possible.
The turbine section 106 includes a plurality of turbine stages 124 with each turbine stage 124 including a number of stationary turbine vanes 126 and a number of rotating turbine blades 128. The turbine stages 124 are arranged to receive the exhaust gas 122 from the combustion section 104 at a turbine inlet 130 and expand that gas to convert thermal and pressure energy into rotating or mechanical work. The turbine section 106 is connected to the compressor section 102 to drive the compressor section 102. For gas turbine engines 100 used for power generation or as prime movers, the turbine section 106 is also connected to a generator, pump, or other device to be driven. As with the compressor section 102, other designs and arrangements of the turbine section 106 are possible.
An exhaust portion 132 is positioned downstream of the turbine section 106 and is arranged to receive the expanded flow of exhaust gas 122 from the final turbine stage 124 in the turbine section 106. The exhaust portion 132 is arranged to efficiently direct the exhaust gas 122 away from the turbine section 106 to assure efficient operation of the turbine section 106. Many variations and design differences are possible in the exhaust portion 132. As such, the illustrated exhaust portion 132 is but one example of those variations.
A control system 134 is coupled to the gas turbine engine 100 and operates to monitor various operating parameters and to control various operations of the gas turbine engine 100. In preferred constructions the control system 134 is typically micro-processor based and includes memory devices and data storage devices for collecting, analyzing, and storing data. In addition, the control system 134 provides output data to various devices including monitors, printers, indicators, and the like that allow users to interface with the control system 134 to provide inputs or adjustments. In the example of a power generation system, a user may input a power output set point and the control system 134 may adjust the various control inputs to achieve that power output in an efficient manner.
The control system 134 can control various operating parameters including, but not limited to variable inlet guide vane positions, fuel flow rates and pressures, engine speed, valve positions, generator load, and generator excitation. Of course, other applications may have fewer or more controllable devices. The control system 134 also monitors various parameters to assure that the gas turbine engine 100 is operating properly. Some parameters that are monitored may include inlet air temperature, compressor outlet temperature and pressure, combustor outlet temperature, fuel flow rate, generator power output, bearing temperature, and the like. Many of these measurements are displayed for the user and are logged for later review should such a review be necessary.
The combustion section 200 includes a casing 202 and a combustor 300 that is enclosed by the casing 202. A plurality of combustors 300 are arranged circumferentially around the central axis 108 of the gas turbine engine 100 and spaced apart from each other to define a can-type combustor, with other arrangements being possible. The plurality of combustors 300 are enclosed by the casing 202. A compressor exit diffusor 204 is connected to the exit of the compressor section 102 for providing compressed air 206 to the combustor 300.
Each combustor 300 includes a head-end section 208 that is connected to a transition duct 210. The head-end section 208 includes a premixer fuel injector 212 that includes a premixer fuel supply tube 214 and a pilot burner 216. The premixer fuel supply tube 214 injects fuel to the combustor 300. The fuel is mixed with the compressed air 206 and is ignited by the pilot burner 216 for producing exhaust gas 218. The transition duct 210 encloses an interior that defines a combustion chamber 220 through which the exhaust gas 218 passes. The exit of the transition duct 210 is connected to the entrance of the turbine section 106 such that the exhaust gas 218 enters the turbine section 106.
The combustor 300 includes one or more secondary fuel injectors 222 that are arranged downstream of the premixer fuel injector 212 and at an upstream side of the transition duct 210. The secondary fuel injectors 222 inject further fuel into the combustion chamber 220.
The combustor 300 includes a collar 400. The collar 400 is fixedly coupled to the transition duct 210. The collar 400 may be fixed on the transition duct 210 by welding. Other suitable fixing arrangements may be used to couple the collar 400 to the transition duct 210.
The secondary fuel injector 222 is disposed at the transition duct 210 to allow a flow communication with the combustion chamber 220. The secondary fuel injector 222 is disposed perpendicular to the transition duct 210. It is possible that the secondary fuel injector 222 may be disposed oblique to the transition duct 210. The secondary fuel injector 222 has a general cylindrical shape. A fuel supply tube 304 is connected to a fuel plenum ring 306 and the secondary fuel injector 222 for providing further fuel to the combustion chamber 220. The secondary fuel injector 222 is surrounded by the collar 400. A plurality of secondary fuel injectors 222 may be disposed circumferentially around the transition duct 210 and spaced apart from each other. Each secondary fuel injector 222 is connected to one fuel supply tube 304 and is surrounded by one collar 400.
With references to
The collar 400 has an upstream portion 408a and a downstream portion 408b. The upstream portion 408a and the downstream portion 408b are defined with respect to a flow direction of the exhaust gas 218. The upstream portion 408a has a larger circumferential length around a perimeter of the collar 400 than the downstream portion 408b. It is also possible that the upstream portion 408a is equal to the downstream portion 408b.
The collar 400 has a lip 410 extending radially inward from an inner surface of the collar 400 and circumferentially around the inner surface. The lip 410 is disposed at the first end 402 of the collar 400 and is flush with the first end 402. The lip 410 has a cutout 412. The cutout 412 can be disposed at the downstream portion 408b of the collar 400. The location of the cutout 412 may be used to identify the downstream portion 408b of the collar 400 (i.e., the orientation) for installation of the collar 400. It is also possible to have the cutout 412 located at the upstream portion 408a of the collar 400 to identify upstream portion 408a of the collar 400 when installing the collar 400. Additionally, other methods or features (e.g., grooves, marks, notches, etc.) could be formed on the collar 400 to identify its orientation.
The collar 400 has a flap 414 extending radially inward from the inner surface of the wall 406 and circumferentially around the inner surface. The flap 414 divides the interior of the collar 400 into a first cavity 416 and a second cavity 418. The first cavity 416 is defined between the first end 402 and the flap 414, practically, the first cavity 416 is defined between the lip 410 and the flap 414. The second cavity 418 is defined between the flap 414 and the second end 404. The flap 414 has a first surface 420 facing toward the first end 402 of the collar 400 and a second surface 422 facing toward the second end 404 of the collar 400. The first surface 420 is flat and is parallel to the lip 410. The second surface 422 is non-planar. The non-planar shape of the second surface 422 corresponds to the non-planar shape of the second end 404. The non-planar shape includes a saddler shape, or a hyperbolic paraboloid shape. As such, a distance between the second surface 422 of the flap 414 and the second end 404 of the collar 400 is constant around the collar 400. This arrangement results in a constant circumferential cross-sectional area (i.e., the area defined between the flap 414 and the second end 404 of the collar 400 and the inner surface of the collar 400 and the secondary fuel injector 222) of the second cavity 418.
The collar 400 includes a plurality of upstream apertures 424a and a plurality of downstream apertures 424b. The upstream apertures 424a are disposed at least partially in the upstream portion 408a and cooperate to define a portion of an upstream purge path. The downstream apertures 424b are disposed at least partially in the downstream portion 408b and cooperate to define a portion of a downstream purge path. The upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b are distributed circumferentially around the wall 406 and spaced apart from each other. The upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b are disposed in the second cavity 418 of the collar 400. The upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b allow cooling air 426 flowing from an exterior of the collar 400 to the interior of the collar 400.
The collar 400 includes two ribs 428 that extend radially inward from the second surface 422 of the flap 414 toward the second end 404. The two ribs 428 also extend from the inner surface of the wall 406. The two ribs 428 extend perpendicular to the second surface 422 of the flap 414. The two ribs 428 extend perpendicular to the inner surface of the wall 406. The two ribs 428 are disposed at two locations of the flap 414 to separate the upstream portion 408a and the downstream portion 408b in the second cavity 418. As illustrated in
The cooling air 426 performs as a purge air to purge the collar 400. A flow area of the upstream purge path is defined by the total area of the upstream apertures 424a. A flow area of the downstream purge path is defined by the total area of the downstream apertures 424b. The flow area of the upstream purge path is larger than the flow area of the downstream purge path. Such a configuration can be achieved by different sizes of the upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b, different total number of the upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b, different circumferential length of the upstream portion 408a and the downstream portion 408b, or combinations thereof.
As illustrated in
The collar 400 receives a seal ring 602, a shim ring 604, and a snap ring 606 each disposed in the first cavity 416 between the lip 410 and the flap 414. The seal ring 602 is disposed on the flap 414. The shim ring 604 is disposed on the seal ring 602. The snap ring 606 is disposed on the shim ring 604. The lip 410 holds the seal ring 602, the shim ring 604, and the snap ring 606 within the first cavity 416. The cutout 412 is used for assembly and disassembly of the seal ring 602, the shim ring 604, and the snap ring 606 placed in the first cavity 416 of the collar 400.
The secondary fuel injector 222 is disposed in an opening 608 defined by the transition duct 210. A gap 610 exists between the secondary fuel injector 222 and the opening 608. The opening 608 has an upstream side and a downstream side defined by the flow direction of exhaust gas 218.
The second end 404 of the collar 400 is fixed on the transition duct 210 around the opening 608. The first end 402 of the collar 400 is opposite to the second end 404 positioned exterior of the transition duct 210. The collar 400 is oriented such that the upstream portion 408a faces the upstream side of the opening 608 and the downstream portion 408b faces the downstream side of the opening 608.
The upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b extend through the collar 400. Outlets of the upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b are located in the second cavity 418 of the collar 400. The upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b are oblique to the flow direction of the exhaust gas 218. The upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b are oriented such that the cooling air 426 exits the upstream apertures 424a and the downstream apertures 424b in a direction towards the transition duct 210.
In operation of the gas turbine engine 100 and with reference to
In some constructions, an asymmetric purge flow through the collar 400 is desired. The upstream portion 408a of the collar 400 has more ingestion of the exhaust gas 218 than the downstream portion 408b of the collar 400. As such, the upstream portion 408a needs a higher purge flow than the downstream portion 408b. The larger flow area of the upstream purge path provides a larger purge flow to the upstream portion 408a. The less flow area of the downstream purge path provides a less purge flow to the downstream portion 408b. The arrangement of the upstream purge path and the downstream purge path makes the collar 400 fit the asymmetric purge desire through the collar 400, thereby reducing the consumption of the cooling air 426.
The second cavity 418 is compartmentalized by the two ribs 428. Without the two ribs 428, the cooling air 426 in the upstream portions 408a communicates to the cooling air 426 in the downstream portion 408b due to a lower static pressure in the downstream portion 408b. With the two ribs 428, the cooling air 426 in the upstream portions 408a remains in the upstream portion 408a and does not communicate with the cooling air 426 in the downstream portion 408b. The constant circumferential cross-sectional area of the second cavity 418 improves a distribution of the cooling air 426 in the second cavity 418 to provide an effective cooling and purge.
The asymmetric and compartmentalized collar 400 improves purge performance in the gap 610 and reduces the ingestion of the exhaust gas 218 in the collar 400. The asymmetric and compartmentalized collar 400 reduces the cooling air 426 consumption and the improves an overall combustion. The asymmetric and compartmentalized collar 400 improves design life of the gas turbine engine 100. The asymmetric and compartmentalized collar 400 can control the amount of the cooling air 426 as the purge air to meet the purge need.
Although an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.
None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, act, or function is an essential element, which must be included in the claim scope: the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke a means plus function claim construction unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/044163 | 8/2/2021 | WO |
