Patent Application
20130247580
The present invention generally involves a system and a method for recirculating a hot gas flowing through a gas turbine. In particular, the system and method relate to recirculating a hot gas ingested into a gap between a transition piece and a stationary nozzle within a gas turbine.
Industrial gas turbines generally include a plurality of combustors disposed in an annular array about an axial centerline of the gas turbine. Hot gases of combustion flow from each combustor through a transition piece and across a first-stage of stationary nozzles. Because the transition piece and the stationary nozzles are formed of different materials and are subjected to different temperatures during operation, each may experience different degrees of thermal growth as the gas turbine cycles through various operating modes. As a result, the transition piece and the first-stage of stationary nozzles may move radially, circumferentially and axially relative to one another. Also, similar relative movement may occur as a result of dynamic pulsing of the combustion process.
Typically, thermal growth variations are addressed by providing a gap between the transition piece and the first-stage of the stationary nozzles. In addition, one or more seals may be provided to seal the gap and thereby reduce cold air leakage into the hot gas path. However, due to the high pressure and temperature of the hot gas flowing across the gap, at least a portion of the hot gas may be ingested into the gap and flow against the seal, thereby degrading the seal over time.
One method for cooling the seal and for purging the hot gas from the gap includes flowing a purge medium such as compressed air into the gap at a pressure sufficient to purge the gap and/or cool the seal. Although this method is generally effective, larger gaps require a greater volume of the purging medium to affectively purge the gap. As a result, the greater volume of unburned and/or unmixed purging medium may increase the levels of undesirable combustion emissions such as, but not limiting of, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and/or carbon monoxide (CO). Thus, an improved system and method for recirculating the hot gas ingested into the gap would be useful.
Aspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
One embodiment of the present invention is a system for recirculating a hot gas flowing through a gas turbine. The system generally includes a transition piece having a downstream surface, a stationary nozzle having a leading edge surface adjacent to the transition piece downstream surface, a gap defined between the transition piece downstream surface and the stationary nozzle leading edge surface, and a projection having an inner arcuate surface radially separated from an outer surface. The projection generally extends from the stationary nozzle leading edge surface towards the transition piece downstream surface and at least partially decreases the gap. A seal extends across the gap and may be in contact with the transition piece and the stationary nozzle leading edge surface. A recirculation zone may be at least partially defined between the projection inner arcuate surface, the stationary nozzle leading edge surface and the transition piece downstream surface.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a gas turbine having a combustor which includes a transition piece that has a downstream surface. The transition piece at least partially defines a hot gas path within the gas turbine. A stationary nozzle having a leading edge surface is generally adjacent to the transition piece downstream surface. The stationary nozzle at least partially defines the hot gas path. A gap is at least partially defined between the transition piece downstream surface and the stationary nozzle leading edge surface and may be in fluid communication with the hot gas path. A projection having an inner arcuate surface radially separated from an outer surface extends from the stationary nozzle leading edge surface towards the transition piece downstream surface. The projection may at least partially decrease the gap. A seal extends across the gap and may be in contact with the transition piece downstream surface and the stationary nozzle leading edge surface. A recirculation zone may be at least partially defined between the projection inner arcuate surface, the stationary nozzle leading edge surface and the transition piece downstream surface. The recirculation zone may be in fluid communication with the hot gas path.
A transition piece, that includes a downstream end, at least partially defines a hot gas path within the gas turbine. A stationary nozzle having a forward end adjacent to the transition piece downstream end. The stationary nozzle forward end at least partially defines the hot gas path through the gas turbine. A gap is defined between the transition piece downstream end and the stationary nozzle forward end and the gap is in fluid communication with the hot gas path. A projection having an inner arcuate surface radially separated from an outer surface extends from the stationary nozzle forward end towards the transition piece downstream end. The projection may at least partially decrease the gap. A seal in contact with the aft frame and the projection outer surface extends across the gap and a first volume is at least partially defined between the seal, the projection outer surface and the transition piece downstream end. A second volume may be at least partially defined between the projection inner arcuate surface, the stationary nozzle forward end and the transition piece downstream end, and the second volume is in fluid communication with the hot gas path.
The present invention may also include a method for recirculating the flow of the hot gas flowing into the gap defined between the transition piece downstream surface and the stationary nozzle leading edge surface where the stationary nozzle leading edge surface includes a projection having an inner arcuate surface radially separated from an outer surface. The projection extends from the stationary nozzle leading edge surface towards the transition piece downstream end and the transition piece and the stationary nozzle at least partially define a hot gas path. The method includes flowing the hot gas through the transition piece, flowing a portion of the hot gas into the gap, directing the portion of the hot gas along the stationary nozzle projection inner arcuate surface towards the transition piece downstream surface, flowing the portion of the hot gas across at least a portion of the transition piece downstream surface, directing the portion of the hot gas away from the transition piece downstream surface, and flowing the portion of the hot gas into the hot gas path.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the specification.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention. As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative location of components in a fluid pathway. For example, component A is upstream of component B if a fluid flows from component A to component B. Conversely, component B is downstream of component A if component B receives a fluid flow from component A. In addition, as used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify particular structure, location, function, or importance of the individual components.
Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Various embodiments of the present invention include a system and a method for recirculating a hot gas flowing through a gas turbine. The system generally includes a transition piece having an aft end and a stationary nozzle having a forward end that is generally adjacent to the transition piece aft end. The transition piece and the stationary nozzle may be mounted within the gas turbine so that a gap may be generally defined between the transition piece aft end and the stationary nozzle forward end. The gap may be at least partially decreased by a projection having an inner arcuate surface radially separated from an outer surface that generally extends from the stationary nozzle forward end towards the transition piece aft end. A seal that is in contact with the transition piece and the projection outer surface may extend across the gap. The seal may at least partially define a volume between the projection outer surface and the transition piece aft end. A recirculation zone generally radially inward from the volume may be at least partially defined between the projection inner arcuate surface, the stationary nozzle forward end and the transition piece aft end. In particular embodiments, the transition piece and the stationary nozzle may at least partially define a hot gas path that extends through a portion of the gas turbine. In addition, the gap and/or the recirculation zone may be in fluid communication with the hot gas path. In this manner, as the hot gas flows through the transition piece and across the gap, at least a portion of the hot gas may be ingested into the gap. As the hot gas enters the gap it may flow into the recirculation zone where it may be guided away from the seal by the projection arcuate surface and towards a portion of the transition piece aft end. As the hot gas flows towards the transition piece aft end, the flow direction is reversed and the hot gas is channeled back in to the hot gas path. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described generally in the context of a system for recirculating a hot gas flowing through a gas turbine for purposes of illustration, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments of the present invention may be applied to any turbo-machine and should not be limited to a gas turbine unless specifically recited in the claims.
As illustrated in
In particular embodiments, the downstream surface 42 may be at least partially defined by at least a portion of the support frame 44. The transition piece 32 and/or the support frame 44 may be made of any material designed to withstand high temperatures that result from the hot gas flowing through the transition piece 32. In particular embodiments, the downstream end 36 may include one or more purge passages 46 that extend therethrough. For example, the one or more purge passages 46 may extend through a portion of the support frame 44. As shown in
As shown in
A gap 68 may be at least partially defined between the transition piece 32 downstream surface 42 and the stationary nozzle 52 leading edge surface 60. The gap may be generally axial relative to a centerline 70 that extends through the hot gas path 22. The gap 68 generally provides sufficient separation between the transition piece 32 downstream surface 42 and the stationary nozzle 52 leading edge surface 60 so that the surfaces 42, 60 are unlikely to make contact during operation of the gas turbine 10. In particular embodiments, the gap 68 may be large enough to allow fluid communication between the hot gas path 22 and the gap 68. As the gas turbine 10 cycles through various operating conditions, the gap 68 may increase or decrease
In particular embodiments, as shown in
One or more purge passages 78 may extend through at least a portion of the projection 72. A second volume, herein referred to as “recirculation zone 80” may be at least partially defined between the stationary nozzle 52 leading edge surface 60, the projection 72 inner arcuate surface 74 and the transition piece 32 downstream surface 42. The recirculation zone 80 may be in fluid communication with the hot gas path 22. In this manner, any fluid such as, but not limiting of, hot gas that may flow into the recirculation zone may be directed away from the seal 50 and back into the hot gas path 22. The projection 72 also includes an outer surface 82 that is generally radially separated from the inner arcuate surface 74. The outer surface 82 generally extends from the distal end 76 of the projection 72 to the stationary nozzle 52 leading edge surface 60. The outer surface 82 may be at least partially arcuate and/or at least partially flat.
In particular embodiments, at least a portion of the stationary nozzle 52 leading edge surface 60 and/or the projection 72 may include a heat resistant material 83 such as, but not limiting of, a thermal barrier coating. The stationary nozzle 52 may be mounted to a turbine casing (not illustrated) or to any generally static structure of the gas turbine 10. In particular gas turbine designs, the transition piece 32 and the stationary nozzle 52 may be mounted to the same generally static structure, or in alternate configurations, to different static structures. Each static structure may have different thermal growth rates. As a result, the gap 68 may increase or decrease as the gas turbine cycles through various operating conditions.
The seal 50 generally extends across the gap 68 between the transition piece 32 and the stationary nozzle 52. The seal 50 may include any type of seal designed to withstand the thermal stresses imposed by the hot gas 20 flowing through the hot gas path 22. The seal 50 may be connected to the transition piece 32 downstream end 36 and may extend across the gap 68 to the leading edge surface 60. In the alternative, the seal 50 may be connected to the leading edge surface 60 and may extend across the gap 68 to the transition piece 32 downstream end 36. The seal 50 may be spring loaded to enhance and/or maintain contact between the seal 50 and the transition piece 32 and/or the stationary nozzle 52. In particular embodiments, the seal extends across the gap 68 from the transition piece 32 downstream end 36 and is in contact with the leading edge surface 60 at a point generally radially outward from the projection 72 outer surface 82. In this configuration, the seal 50 may not make contact with the projection 72 outer surface 82. In this manner, less of the hot gas 20 flowing through the recirculation zone may reach the seal 50, thereby reducing the thermal stresses on the seal 50. In addition, the seal 50, the projection 72 outer surface 82 and the transition piece 32 downstream surface 42 may at least partially define a purge volume 84 that is in fluid communication with the recirculation zone 80. In particular embodiments, the seal 50 may include one or more passages 86 that extend through the seal 50. The one or more passages 86 may allow a fluid to flow through the seal and into the purge volume 84.
In particular embodiments of the present invention, as shown in
In further embodiments, the system 30 may include a purge medium supply 88. For example, but not limiting of, the purge medium supply 88 may include the compressor 12 and/or an external purge medium supply (not illustrated) such as a steam line. The purge medium supply 88 may provide a purge medium 90 such as, but not limiting of, compressed air or steam, into the gap 68. In particular embodiments, the purge medium 90 may flow into the purge volume 84 between the seal 50 and the projection 72 outer surface 82. In this manner, the purge medium 90 may provide cooling to one or more of the seal 50, the projection 72, the stationary nozzle 52 leading edge surface 60 or the transition piece 32 downstream surface 42. In addition, the purge medium 90 may flow between the projection 72 distal end 76 and the transition piece 32 downstream surface 42 and into the recirculation zone 80. As a result, the purge medium 90 may reduce and/or prevent the hot gas 20 from leaking from recirculation zone 80 into the purge volume 84. As a result, the purge medium 90 may provide a motive force to the recirculation zone 80 for driving the hot gas 20 through the recirculation zone 80 and back into the hot gas path 22. In addition or in the alternative, the purge medium 90 may flow into the purge volume 84 and/or the recirculation zone 80 through the one or more transition piece 32 downstream end purge passages 46, thereby at least partially cooling to the transition piece 32 and/or providing a motive force for flowing the hot gas 20 through the recirculation zone 80. In addition or in the alternative, the purge medium 90 may flow through the one or more stationary nozzle 52 leading edge purge passages 66 and/or the one or more projection purge passages 78, thereby at least partially cooling the leading edge surface 60 and/or the projection 72 and/or providing a motive force to the recirculation zone 80 for recirculating the hot gas 20 through the recirculation zone 80 and into the hot gas path 22.
Although the system 30 is illustrated and generally describe between the stationary nozzle 52 outer platform 56 and the transition piece 32 downstream surface 42, it should be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the system 10 may be deployed with similar purpose and results between the stationary nozzle 52 inner platform 54 leading edge surface 60 and the transition piece 32 downstream surface 42. In addition, although the system 10 is described and illustrated with a single transition piece 32 and a single stationary nozzle 52, the system 10 may be deployed on a plurality of transition pieces and a plurality of stationary nozzles within the gas turbine 10 with similar purpose and results.
The system 10 shown and described with respect to
The various embodiments shown and described with respect to
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other and examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
