Abstract: A flexible and automatic system and method for blending an inexpensive secondary gas with a primary gas fuel for operation of a Dry Low NOx gas turbine. The secondary gas may be a gas fuel such as hydrogen, ethane, butane, propane and liquefied natural gas or an inert gas. Combustion dynamics are avoided by controlling the blended fuel within a permissible range for a Modified Wobbe Index. Combustion dynamics and gas turbine exhaust emissions may also be monitored to maintain safe combustion with the blended fuel. A gas turbine control system may adjust the blend and temperature of the primary gas fuel and the secondary gas to promote desired combustion.

Abstract: A flexible and automatic system and method for blending an inexpensive secondary gas with a primary gas fuel for operation of a Dry Low NOx gas turbine. The secondary gas may be a gas fuel such as hydrogen, ethane, butane, propane and liquefied natural gas or an inert gas. Combustion dynamics are avoided by controlling the blended fuel within a permissible range for a Modified Wobbe Index. Combustion dynamics and gas turbine exhaust emissions may also be monitored to maintain safe combustion with the blended fuel. A gas turbine control system may adjust the blend and temperature of the primary gas fuel and the secondary gas to promote desired combustion.

Abstract: A closed-loop cooling system is provided for a hydrogen/oxygen based combustor. A combustion reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the combustor produces steam. The steam is used to generate work from a turbine shaft, which is used to drive a propulsion system for the underwater vessel. After the steam passes through the turbine, the steam is cooled back to liquid water by a condenser that uses a seawater cooling loop to cool the steam into cold water. The cold water is then injected into the combustor, and pumped into passages along the walls of the combustor, thus absorbing the heat. The cold water absorbs this heat until it becomes hot water or steam, which is then injected into the combustor with the hydrogen and oxygen to act as a diluent, thus reducing the reaction temperature of the hydrogen/oxygen combustion reaction. The reaction produces more steam, and the cycle repeats.

Abstract: In an underwater vehicle, hydrogen and oxygen are fed into a combustion chamber of a combustor of the underwater vehicle to initiate a combustion reaction, which generates high-pressure steam. The high-pressure steam can be cooled with the injection of seawater, and can be condensed into high-pressure water by the addition of sufficient seawater. High-pressure water is then ejected out of the combustor, generating thrust for the underwater vehicle. Sensors that measure the combustor pressure and the external pressure could be used to adjust the combustor pressure, allowing for constant velocity as the depth of the underwater vehicle changes. Alternatively, the sensors could adjust the area of an exit nozzle of the combustor. Stored water can be converted back into hydrogen and oxygen by using electrical power external to the system. After regeneration of the water into hydrogen and oxygen, the propulsion system would be ready for operation again.