Pre-mix nozzle and full ring fuel distribution system for a gas turbine combustor

• US 6,446,439 B1
• Filed: 11/03/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ansaldo Energia Switzerland AG
• Original Assignee: Power Systems Mfg. LLC (Hanwha Corporation)
• Inventors: Martling, Vincent C., Mack, Brian R., Kraft, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay, Charles G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, William H.
• Application Number:
  US09/706,425
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 607/39, 607/40, 607/46, 60/390.91, 60/391.1, 60/390.6, 607/32, 607/33, 607/37
• US Class Current: 60/739
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 2900/00008 Burner assemblies with diffusion and premix modes, i.e. dual mode burners
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 2900/00015 Pilot burners specially adapted for low load or transient conditions, e.g. for increasing stability
• CPC Class Codes: F23R 3/286 having fuel-air premixing devices F23R3/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F23R 3/343 Pilot flames, i.e. fuel nozzles or injectors using only a very small proportion of the total fuel to insure continuous combustion ignition in gas-turbine plants F02C7/264; pilot flame igniters F23Q9/00

Abstract

A fuel nozzle system for use in a combustor utilized in a combustion turbine for reducing nitrogen oxides and other pollutants including an annular fuel distribution manifold separately mounted away from a diffusion nozzle, said annular manifold having a plurality of fuel emitting passages or holes disposed along the downstream side of the manifold, said manifold being mounted in a position away from the diffuser nozzle body to allow air to stream around the manifold on all sides allowing for a thorough mixture of fuel and air around the annular manifold for better premixing in the combustion chamber. In an alternate embodiment, the diffusion nozzle is replaced by a pilot flame nozzle that is supplied with both air and fuel through a premix air and fuel chamber to a pilot flame nozzle which is used to sustain combustion in the secondary chamber. The use of a pilot flame nozzle that has a fuel and air mixture is believed to reduced NOx emissions.

Claims

1. An improved secondary fuel supply system comprising:

an elongated housing having an inlet end and an outlet end;

a sleeve affixed to said elongated housing;

a plurality of support members affixed to said sleeve and extending radially outward therefrom;

a premix fuel supply nozzle comprising an annular tubular manifold circumferentially disposed about and spaced away from said housing, said manifold affixed to said plurality of support members and having a plurality of fuel dispersion apertures situated about its periphery and facing a down stream direction for emitting fuel such that an air stream flowing around the outside of said premix nozzle mixes with said emitted fuel, at least one of said apertures being circumferentially offset from said support members;

a central fuel distribution conduit having a fuel pilot tube attached thereto and in fluid communication therewith, said pilot tube containing at least one orifice;

a premix pilot flame nozzle located proximate said outlet end of said elongated housing, said premix pilot flame nozzle separate from said premix fuel supply nozzle;

a premix chamber surrounding said pilot tube for receiving fuel therefrom, said premix chamber connected to said pilot flame nozzle;

a plurality of fuel transfer tubes situated within said elongated housing, wherein said fuel transfer tubes supply fuel to the outlet end of said elongated housing adjacent said pilot flame nozzle, said fuel transfer tubes surrounding said premix chamber, and

a plurality of air flow channels situated within said elongated housing for providing air to said premix chamber for mixing with fuel from said pilot tube.

2. The fuel supply system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said fuel dispersion apertures is angled relative to the downstream direction.

3. The fuel supply system of claim 1, further comprising a spool plate situation proximate said pilot flame nozzle, said spool plate having a plurality of apertures, each of said apertures to receive one end of one of said fuel transfer tubes.

4. The fuel supply system of claim 3, further comprising a spool swirler affixed to said spool plate, wherein said spool swirler includes a plurality of holes greater in number than the number of said apertures on said spool connected to said fuel transfer tubes.

5. The fuel supply system of claim 1, further comprising a pilot swirler situated within said pilot flame nozzle.

6. The fuel supply system of claim 1, wherein seven of said transfer fuel tubes surround seven of said air flow channels.