Abstract: A fuel supply system for use in a combustion turbine engine is provided. The fuel supply system includes a fuel nozzle, a source of process fuel configured to channel a flow of process fuel towards the fuel nozzle, and a source of secondary fuel configured to channel a flow of secondary fuel towards the fuel nozzle. The flow of secondary fuel mixes with the flow of process fuel to form mixed startup fuel having a higher calorific value than the process fuel, and the mixed startup fuel is discharged from the fuel nozzle during startup of the combustion turbine engine.

Abstract: A venturi assembly for a turbine combustor includes a first outer annular wall and a second intermediate annular wall radially spaced from each other in substantially concentric relationship. The first outer annular wall and said second intermediate annular wall shaped to define a forward, substantially V-shaped throat region, and an aft, axially extending portion. A third radially innermost annular wall is connected to the second intermediate annular wall at an aft end of said throat region. A first plurality of apertures is provided in the first outer annular wall in the substantially V-shaped throat region, and a second plurality of apertures is provided in the aft, axially extending portion of said second intermediate annular wall so that cooling air flows through the first and second pluralities of apertures to impingement cool the third radially innermost annular wall.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor includes a liner having a forward end and an aft end; a flow sleeve surrounding the liner, the flow sleeve also having forward and aft ends, the aft end of the flow sleeve supporting an annular ring formed with a plurality of cooling bores and extending through the flow sleeve, at least some of the plurality of cooling bores formed at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the liner.

Abstract: An axial diffuser for a gas turbine includes diffuser walls that define diffuser channels receiving compressor discharge air. The diffuser walls diverge in a flow direction. A flow control device is disposed in the diffuser channels and includes a plasma controller that serves to ionize airflow in the diffuser channels.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a gas turbine includes an annular passage configured to flow a fuel and a disk concentric with and disposed at a second end of the annular passage. The disk extends radially outward from the second end. A plurality of passages extend through the disk and are configured to impart swirl to a working fluid flowing through the passages. A shroud including an upstream end axially separated from a downstream end surrounds the disk and extends downstream from the disk.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an air-staged diffusion nozzle for a gas turbine combustor to cool the nozzle tip and improve mixing of gas fuel and air within a downstream burner space. Air is mixed with the gas-fuel in an outer swirler and expanded in a downstream burner tube space. Compressed air from a cooling air cavity in the nozzle flows through an inner swirler, passing downstream from the tip of the nozzle to the burner tube space, cooling the nozzle tip and improving the mixing of the gas-fuel with air, thereby reducing emissions from the gas turbine and reducing soot formation in startup. Direction and rotation of the discharged air from the nozzle tip into the burner space may be arranged to promote nozzle tip cooling and gas-fuel mixing with air.

Abstract: In an air-staged diffusion nozzle for a gas turbine combustor, air is mixed with the gas fuel and expanded in a downstream burner tube. Introduction of air, passing downstream from the tip of the nozzle to the burner tube space forces hot gases away from and cools the nozzle tip. Air flow through an inner swirler or through cooling holes on the nozzle tip may be arranged to establish a cooling flow volume and direction that advantageously interacts with gas fuel-air flow from an outer swirler to improve fuel-air mixing in the burner tube, helping to reduce emissions and soot formation.

Abstract: A combustion burner and a nozzle tip to a combustion burner is disclosed. The nozzle tip includes a face and at least one passage at the face enabling a gas impinging on the face to flow through the nozzle tip. At least one rib extends from the face to transfer heat from the nozzle tip to the impinging gas. The at least one rib extending from the face of the nozzle tip provides a surface area of the face that is greater than the surface area of a planar face. The nozzle tip can be coupled to an end of a nozzle of the combustion burner. The gas can be an air and/or an air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hula seal for use with a combustor. The hula seal includes a number of legs that define a number of slots. The slots may include a number of expansion slots.

Abstract: A combustion liner for a combustor of a turbine engine includes a plurality of undulations which extend around the exterior circumference of the combustion liner. A plurality of rows of cooling holes are formed through the combustion liner. Each row of cooling holes is located in one of the undulations which extends around the exterior circumference of the combustion liner. The cooling holes admit a flow of cooling air into the interior of the combustion liner. The cooling holes are located and oriented to help the flow of cooling air form a film along the inner surface of the combustion liner.

Abstract: A venturi assembly for a turbine combustor includes a first outer annular wall and a second intermediate annular wall radially spaced from each other in substantially concentric relationship. The first outer annular wall and said second intermediate annular wall shaped to define a forward, substantially V-shaped throat region, and an aft, axially extending portion. A third radially innermost annular wall is connected to the second intermediate annular wall at an aft end of said throat region. A first plurality of apertures is provided in the first outer annular wall in the substantially V-shaped throat region, and a second plurality of apertures is provided in the aft, axially extending portion of said second intermediate annular wall so that cooling air flows through the first and second pluralities of apertures to impingement cool the third radially innermost annular wall.

Abstract: A combustor includes a combustion chamber and a liner surrounding the combustion chamber. A ridge on top of the liner extends continuously around the liner. In alternate embodiments, a ridge extends continuously around the liner, and a groove extends continuously around the liner adjacent to the ridge, wherein both of the ridge and the groove are either substantially flat or curved.

Abstract: In an air-staged diffusion nozzle for a gas turbine combustor, air is mixed with the gas fuel and expanded in a downstream burner tube. Introduction of air, passing downstream from the tip of the nozzle to the burner tube space forces hot gases away from and cools the nozzle tip. Air flow through an inner swirler or through cooling holes on the nozzle tip may be arranged to establish a cooling flow volume and direction that advantageously interacts with gas fuel-air flow from an outer swirler to improve fuel-air mixing in the burner tube, helping to reduce emissions and soot formation.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an air-staged diffusion nozzle for a gas turbine combustor to cool the nozzle tip and improve mixing of gas fuel and air within a downstream burner space. Air is mixed with the gas-fuel in an outer swirler and expanded in a downstream burner tube space. Compressed air from a cooling air cavity in the nozzle flows through an inner swirler, passing downstream from the tip of the nozzle to the burner tube space, cooling the nozzle tip and improving the mixing of the gas-fuel with air, thereby reducing emissions from the gas turbine and reducing soot formation in startup. Direction and rotation of the discharged air from the nozzle tip into the burner space may be arranged to promote nozzle tip cooling and gas-fuel mixing with air.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of a fuel nozzle flange includes an elongated flange body including a radial mounting flange at an aft end thereof and a face surface at a forward end thereof. The flange body has a first, axially-oriented through-bore adapted to receive a first fuel supply pipe at the forward end; a second, radially-oriented bore intersecting the first axially-oriented bore and adapted to receive a second fuel supply pipe; and a third axially-oriented through-bore adapted to receive one end of a flame detector device at the forward end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hula seal for use with a combustor. The hula seal includes a number of legs that define a number of slots. The slots may include a number of expansion slots.

Abstract: A combustor liner for a gas turbine combustor includes a cooling hole formed in the liner that delivers cooling air into a combustion zone of the combustor. A stub is secured in the cooling hole and is structured to provide added stiffness to an inside edge of the cooling hole. The added stiffness reduces cracking caused by thermal fatigue and provides resistance against high cycle fatigue failures at high frequencies.

Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a gas turbine engine including a combustor assembly and a nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a transition piece including a first end, a second end, and a body extending therebetween, where the body includes an inner surface, an opposite outer surface, coupling the first end of the transition piece to the combustor assembly, and coupling the second end of the transition piece to the nozzle assembly such that a turbulator extending helically over the outer surface of the transition piece extends from the transition piece first end to the transition piece second end to facilitate inducing turbulence to cooling air supplied to the combustor assembly.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor includes a liner having a forward end and an aft end; a flow sleeve surrounding the liner, the flow sleeve also having forward and aft ends, the aft end of the flow sleeve supporting an annular ring formed with a plurality of cooling bores and extending through the flow sleeve, at least some of the plurality of cooling bores formed at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the liner.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement for a turbine combustor liner includes a combustor liner; a flow sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the combustor liner with a flow annulus therebetween, the flow sleeve having a plurality of rows of cooling holes formed about a circumference thereof for directing cooling air into the flow annulus and toward the combustor liner. One or more of the cooling holes is fitted with a thimble extending in a radial direction toward the combustor liner, the thimble having a peripheral wall diverging in a direction of flow of the cooling air.