Abstract: An annular expansion ring centered on a main axis and suitable for being mounted on a fuel injector coaxial with the ring is disclosed. The ring presents holes that are distributed around the main axis and open out into its upstream face to enable air to pass towards the zone that is downstream from the ring. The ring includes a conical annular groove that converges downstream, that is open downstream, and that has the holes opening out into the upstream portion thereof. The axis of each of the holes makes an angle relative to the main axis that is strictly greater than the angle between the generator line of the cone defining the annular groove and the main axis, such that the air exiting from the holes impacts against the inner wall of the annular groove, i.e. its wall that is closer to the main axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mixing H2-rich fuels with air in a gas turbine combustion system, wherein a first stream of burner air and a second stream of a H2-rich fuel are provided. All of the fuel is premixed with a portion of the burner air to produce a pre-premixed fuel/air mixture. This pre-premixed fuel/air mixture is injected into the main burner air stream.

Abstract: A burner for use in a gas turbine engine includes a burner tube having an inlet end and an outlet end; a plurality of air passages extending axially in the burner tube configured to convey air flows from the inlet end to the outlet end; a plurality of fuel passages extending axially along the burner tube and spaced around the plurality of air passage configured to convey fuel from the inlet end to the outlet end; and a radial air swirler provided at the outlet end configured to direct the air flows radially toward the outlet end and impart swirl to the air flows. The radial air swirler includes a plurality of vanes to direct and swirl the air flows and an end plate. The end plate includes a plurality of fuel injection holes to inject the fuel radially into the swirling air flows. A method of mixing air and fuel in a burner of a gas turbine is also provided. The burner includes a burner tube including an inlet end, an outlet end, a plurality of axial air passages, and a plurality of axial fuel passages.

Abstract: A method for the combustion of hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuels in combustion air in a burner of a gas turbine includes injecting the hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuel at least partially isokinetically with respect to the combustion air such that the partially hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuel is injected at least partially in the same direction and at least partially at the same velocity as the combustion air.

Abstract: A nozzle for a gas turbine combustor includes a first radially outer tube defining a first passage having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet adapted to supply air to a reaction zone of the combustor. A center body is located within the first radially outer tube, the center body including a second radially intermediate tube for supplying fuel to the reaction zone and a third radially inner tube for supplying air to the reaction zone. The second intermediate tube has a first outlet end closed by a first end wall that is formed with a plurality of substantially parallel, axially-oriented air outlet passages for the additional air in the third radially inner tube, each air outlet passage having a respective plurality of associated fuel outlet passages in the first end wall for the fuel in the second radially intermediate tube.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine comprises a housing stem and a nozzle, the nozzle including an internal wall in heat transfer relation with fuel flowing through the nozzle, and an external wall in heat transfer relation with ambient air. The internal and external walls have downstream tip ends that are relatively moveable at an interface due to relative thermal growth during operation of the engine. An internal insulating gap is disposed between the internal and external walls to provide a heat shield for the internal wall, and a bellows internal to the injector has an upstream end sealingly attached to an upstream portion of one of the internal and external walls, and a downstream end sealingly attached to a downstream portion of the other wall to fluidly separate the insulating gap from any fuel entering into the nozzle through the interface.

Abstract: A nozzle has combustion air passages extending from a first, upstream end to a second, downstream end. A fuel distribution manifold is associated with the first, upstream end of the nozzle. Combustion air passages correspond to, and align with the air passages in the nozzle. Fuel distribution grooves are formed in one end of the fuel distribution manifold disk and extend from a central opening to the air passages. A fuel circuit cover closes the fuel distribution grooves to define fuel passages that extend from the central opening to the combustion air passages. A fuel supply conduit communicates with the central opening and the fuel passages for delivery of fuel to the combustion air in the air passages.

Abstract: A system includes an air flow conditioner configured to mount in an air chamber separated from a combustion chamber of a turbine combustor. The air flow conditioner comprises a perforated annular wall configured to direct an air flow in both an axial direction and a radial direction relative to an axis of the turbine combustor. In addition, the air flow conditioner is configured to uniformly supply the air flow into air inlets of one or more fuel nozzles.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for a combustor is provided, including a fuel nozzle having an axial inflow swirler and one or more radial inflow swirlers spaced radially outward of the downstream end of the fuel nozzle and mounted to the combustor, wherein the airstreams produced by the swirlers airblast atomize fuel films produced by the fuel nozzle.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine having an annular combustion chamber includes a plurality of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies and a plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies disposed in a circumferential ring extending about the circumferential expanse of a forward bulkhead. The plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies are interspersed amongst and disposed in the circumferential ring of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies. Fuel being supplied to the combustor is selectively distributed between the plurality of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies and the plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies in response to the level of power demand on the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided, including a main mixer, and a pilot mixer having an annular housing in which a corner is formed between an aft portion of the housing and a bulkhead wall in which a corner recirculation zone is located to stabilize and anchor the flame of the pilot mixer. The pilot mixer can further include features to cool the annular housing, including in the area of the corner recirculation zone.

Abstract: A fuel spraying apparatus of a gas turbine engine includes a first fuel spraying section configured to spray fuel for diffusion combustion and a second fuel spraying section configured to spray fuel for premixed combustion. The second fuel spraying section is disposed so as to surround the first fuel spraying section. The apparatus further includes an air curtain generating section disposed between the first fuel spraying section and the second fuel spraying section. The air curtain generating section is configured to generate an air curtain which defines an outer edge of a diffusion combustion area in a combustion chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cross flow apparatus including a surface and at least one outlet located at the surface. The cross flow apparatus further includes at least one guide at the surface configured to direct an intersecting flow flowing across the surface and increase a velocity of a cross flow being expelled from the at least one outlet downstream from the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A system includes a fuel nozzle for a turbine engine that includes a tapered central body located at an interior base of the fuel nozzle, an air swirler, and a fuel port in the tapered central body, separate from the air swirler.

Abstract: A protection system for a pre-mixing apparatus for a turbine engine, includes: a main body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and an exterior wall that collectively establish a fuel delivery plenum; and a plurality of fuel mixing tubes that extend through at least a portion of the fuel delivery plenum, each of the plurality of fuel mixing tubes including at least one fuel feed opening fluidly connected to the fuel delivery plenum; at least one thermal fuse disposed on an exterior surface of at least one tube, the at least one thermal fuse including a material that will melt upon ignition of fuel within the at least one tube and cause a diversion of fuel from the fuel feed opening to at least one bypass opening. A method and a turbine engine in accordance with the protection system are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a swirler for use in a burner of a gas turbine engine, the swirler comprising a pluralkity of vanes arranged in a circle, flow slots being defined between adjacent vanes in a circle, each flow slot having an inlet end and an outlet end, in use of the swirler a flow of air and fuel traveling along each flow slot fom its inlet end to its outlet end such that the swirler provides a swirling mix of the air and fuel, at least one vane being configured to generate a flow vortex that extends from an edge of the vane adjacent an outlet end of a flow slot to within the swirling mix thereby to improve the mix of air and fuel in the swirling mix.

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: Systems and methods for an oxy-fuel type combustion reaction are provided. In one or more embodiments, a combustion system can include at least two mixing zones, where a first mixing zone at least partially mixes oxygen and carbon dioxide to produce a first mixture and a second mixing zone at least partially mixes the first mixture with a fuel to produce a second mixture. The combustion system can also include a combustion zone configured to combust the second mixture to produce a combustion product. In one or more embodiments, the first mixture can have a spatially varied ratio of oxygen-to-carbon dioxide configured to generate a hot zone in the combustion zone to increase flame stability in the combustion zone.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel combustion nozzle for use with natural gas, syngas, or other types of fuels. The hybrid fuel combustion nozzle may include a natural gas system with a number of swozzle vanes and a syngas system with a number of co-annular fuel tubes.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a turbine engine has a central body member with a pilot, a surrounding barrel housing, a mixing duct and an air inlet duct. The fuel nozzle additionally has a main fuel injection device located between the air inlet duct and the mixing duct. The main fuel injection device is configured to introduce a flow of fuel into the barrel member to create a fuel/air mixture which is then premixed with a swirler. The fuel/air mixture then further mixes in the mixing duct and exits the nozzle into a combustor for combustion. The geometry of the fuel nozzle ensures that pressure waves from the combustor do not create a time varying fuel to air equivalence ratio in the flow through the nozzle that achieves a resonance with the pressure waves.

Abstract: A multipoint injector for a turbomachine according to which any risk of fuel coking is eliminated is disclosed. The multipoint fuel which is liable to stagnate inside the circuit thereof is cooled uniformly, due to the formation of continuous baffles which each communicate with at least one separate circulation channel and of which the peripheral baffles open out into a fuel admission chamber arranged in a zone diametrically opposing the circulation channels and which communicates with the injection nozzle for pilot fuel in order to achieve uniform supply and cooling of the injector.

Abstract: A swirler passage is provided for mixing fuel and compressor air with at least two side walls; at least first and second conduits arranged inside at least one of the at least two side walls, the first conduit forming a fuel gas conduit and the second conduit forming an air conduit, the fuel gas conduit connected to a gas fuel supply and the air conduit connected to an air supply; a tube connected to the fuel gas conduit and entirely traversing the air conduit inside the side wall; a fluid passage connected to the air conduit and surrounding the tube; at least one fuel outlet opening of the tube arranged on the side wall; and at least one air outlet opening of the fluid passage arranged on the side wall and surrounding the fuel outlet opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting a burner for combusting synthesis gases, wherein said burner comprises first and second fuel passages, the first fuel passage encompasses the second fuel passage in a substantially concentric manner and the gas transferred to the burner is mixed with combusting air and is combusted. According to said invention, in order to start the burner, the second fuel passage is first loaded with a synthesis gas to a predefined burner power at a first starting phase and the first fuel passage is loaded with the synthesis gas at a second starting phase.

Abstract: A mixer for a gas turbine engine combustor includes: (a) a primary fuel injector with upstream and downstream ends, the primary fuel injector including: (1) a hollow central portion configured to pass a first air stream; (2) an annular fuel passage at the downstream end, configured to discharge an annular first fuel stream surrounding the first air stream; (b) an annular splitter surrounding the primary fuel injector, configured to pass a second air stream surrounding the first fuel stream; (c) an annular first housing surrounding the splitter, and having an exit positioned axially downstream of the primary fuel injector and the splitter; and (d) fuel injection ports disposed in an array outside the first housing, and disposed in communication with a fuel supply and positioned to discharge a second fuel stream into a third air stream at a position axially upstream of the exit of the first housing.

Abstract: A unitary swirler is disclosed, comprising a body having a swirler axis, and a plurality of vanes arranged in a circumferential direction around the swirler axis, wherein the swirler has a unitary construction. In one embodiment, the unitary swirler has a rim located coaxially with the swirler axis, and a wall extending between a portion of the rim and a portion of the hub. In another embodiment, the unitary swirler has an adaptor having a passage that is configured to direct a flow of air towards at least some of the plurality of vanes.

Abstract: A nozzle for a combustor is disclosed. The nozzle includes a center body, a burner tube provided around the center body and defining a fuel-air mixing passage therebetween, and an outer peripheral wall provided around the burner tube and defining an air flow passage therebetween. The nozzle further includes a nozzle tip connected to the center body. The nozzle tip includes a pilot fuel passage configured to deliver a flow of pilot fuel to a combustion zone, and a plurality of transfer passages. The plurality of transfer passages are configured to deliver a flow of air for combustion with the flow of pilot fuel in the combustion zone and further configured to deliver a flow of transfer fuel to the combustion zone.

Abstract: A semi-tubular vane air swirler is provided. In one embodiment the air swirler is a deep drawn sheet metal component having a first and a second set of semi-tubular vanes formed therein. In one embodiment the semi-tubular air vanes include a first and a second portion formed by upsetting the sheet metal in opposing directions to create mirrored vane geometry, thereby doubling the open area of the vane.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a turbine engine is configured to deliver a large volume of a fuel which has a relatively low amount of energy per unit volume. The fuel nozzle includes a fuel swirler plate having fuel delivery apertures which are angled with respect to the flat surfaces of the swirler plate. A nozzle cap covers the end of the fuel nozzle to create a swirl chamber at the outlet end. The nozzle cap may include a plurality of air inlet apertures to allow the air to enter the swirl chamber.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor, a turbine, and a combustor operatively connected to the turbine. The turbomachine further includes a cap member mounted to the combustor. The cap member includes a first surface and a second surface. A combustion chamber is defined within the combustor. An injection nozzle is supported at the second surface of the cap member. The injection nozzle includes a first end that extends through an inner flow path to a second end. The first end is configured to receive an amount of a first fluid and the second end is configured to receive an amount of a second fluid. A mixture of the first and second fluids is discharged from the second end of the injection nozzle.

Abstract: The present application provides for a combustor for combusting a flow of fuel and a flow of air. The combustor may include a number of fuel nozzles, a lean pre-nozzle fuel injection system positioned upstream of the fuel nozzles, and a premixing annulus positioned between the fuel nozzles and the lean pre-nozzle fuel injection system to premix the flow of fuel and the flow of air.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which is able to operate with high combustion efficiency, and low nitrous oxide emissions during gas turbine operations. The combustor consists of a can-type configuration which combusts fuel premixed with air and delivers the hot gases to a turbine. Fuel is premixed with air through a swirler and is delivered to the combustor with a high degree of swirl motion about a central axis. This swirling mixture of reactants is conveyed downstream through a flow path that expands; the mixture reacts, and establishes an upstream central recirculation flow along the central axis. A cooling assembly is located on the swirler co-linear with the central axis in which cooler air is conveyed into the prechamber between the recirculation flow and the swirler surface.

Abstract: An air-blast fuel injector is disclosed which includes an outer air circuit having an exit portion, an inner air circuit having an outlet configured to direct air toward the exit portion of the outer air circuit, and a fuel circuit radially outboard of the inner air circuit and having an exit communicating with the outer air circuit upstream from the exit portion of the outer air circuit.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle for a gas turbine engine has a central fuel ejection nozzle and a plurality of airflow passages within the spray tip that include a first and second group of circumferentially spaced apart fuel-spray forming airflow passages disposed on opposite sides of a transverse axis and oriented towards each other such as to produce opposed fuel spray shaping air jets which generate a shaped final fuel spray.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly is disclosed. The fuel nozzle assembly comprises an outer burner tube and an inner burner tube defining a pre-mixing annulus therebetween. The fuel nozzle assembly further comprises a swirler assembly, the swirler assembly comprising a plurality of swirler vanes disposed in an annular array about the inner burner tube and configured to interact with primary air upstream of the pre-mixing annulus. The fuel nozzle assembly further comprises an air injection feature configured to flow secondary air into the pre-mixing annulus downstream of the swirler assembly such that the secondary air flows in a generally linear path longitudinally with respect to the pre-mixing annulus and adjacent at least one of the outer burner tube and the inner burner tube.

Abstract: Embodiments for minimizing relative thermal growth within a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine combustor are disclosed. Fuel nozzle configurations are provided in which a heating fluid is provided to one or more passages in a fuel nozzle from feed holes in the fuel nozzle base. The heating fluid passes through the fuel nozzle, thereby raising the operating temperature of portions of the fuel nozzle to reduce differences in thermal gradients within the fuel nozzle. Various fuel nozzle configurations and passageway geometries are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor (10) comprises a base plate (12) from which protrude a plurality of lips (36) that surround respective apertures (16) into which are positioned downstream ends (19) of main swirler assemblies (18). The apertures (16) are arranged about a centrally positioned pilot cone (22) that comprises an inner cone (23) and an outer cone (25), defining a space (31) there between. A number of laterally directed apertures (60) are disposed along the outer cone (25) so as to direct a flow of fluid toward a near portion (38) of each lip (36), thereby perturbing pockets of high fuel-to-air mixtures between the outer cone (25) and the near region (38). The provision of such laterally directed apertures (60) reduces or eliminates flashback between the outer cone (25) and the near region (38) through such action.

Abstract: A burner for a heat generator comprises a swirl generator (1) for a combustion-air flow and means for injecting fuel for producing a main flow (6). A combustion chamber (2) is arranged downstream of the burner. A cavity (3) is arranged between the swirl generator (1) and the combustion chamber (2), in which cavity (3) a secondary flow (10) can be produced, and this secondary flow (10) encloses the main flow (6).

Abstract: An air-blast fuel injector is disclosed which includes an outer air circuit having an exit portion, an inner air circuit having an outlet configured to direct air toward the exit portion of the outer air circuit, and a fuel circuit radially outboard of the inner air circuit and having an exit communicating with the outer air circuit upstream from the exit portion of the outer air circuit.

Abstract: A gas turbine burner, comprising at least one swirler, the swirler having at least one air inlet opening, at least one air outlet opening positioned downstream to the air inlet opening and at least one swirler air passage extending from the at least one air inlet opening to the at least one air outlet opening which is delimited by swirler air passage walls; a fuel injection system which comprises fuel injection openings arranged in at least one swirler air passage wall so as to inject fuel into the swirler air passage; and an air injection system which comprises air injection openings arranged in at least one swirler air passage wall and positioned downstream of the fuel injection openings for injecting air into the swirler air passage.

Abstract: A method for assembling a premixing injector is provided. The method includes providing a centerbody including a center axis and a radially outer surface, and providing an inlet flow conditioner. The inlet flow conditioner includes a radially outer wall, a radially inner wall, and an end wall coupled substantially perpendicularly between the outer wall and the inner wall. Each of the outer wall and the end wall include a plurality of openings defined therein. The outer wall, the inner wall, and the end wall define a first passage therebetween. The method also includes coupling the inlet flow conditioner to the centerbody such that the inlet flow conditioner substantially circumscribes the centerbody, such that the inner wall is substantially parallel to the centerbody outer surface, and such that a second passage is defined between the centerbody outer surface and the inner wall.

Abstract: A burner with a burner head is provided. The burner includes a mixing tube for premixing combustion air and fuel. The mixing tube is provided with a pilot burner system in its downstream part. The pilot burner system includes an annular mixing cavity with an entrance for assist air and pilot fuel and outlet nozzles. The mixing cavity is provided with at least two swirler wings arranged in the vicinity of each outlet nozzle.

Abstract: A pre-mixer assembly associated with a fuel supply system for mixing of air and fuel upstream from a main combustion zone in a gas turbine engine. The pre-mixer assembly includes a swirler assembly disposed about a fuel injector of the fuel supply system and a pre-mixer transition member. The swirler assembly includes a forward end defining an air inlet and an opposed aft end. The pre-mixer transition member has a forward end affixed to the aft end of the swirler assembly and an opposed aft end defining an outlet of the pre-mixer assembly. The aft end of the pre-mixer transition member is spaced from a base plate such that a gap is formed between the aft end of the pre-mixer transition member and the base plate for permitting a flow of purge air therethrough to increase a velocity of the air/fuel mixture exiting the pre-mixer assembly.

Abstract: The present application provides a burner for use with a combustor of a gas turbine engine. The burner may include a center hub, a shroud, a pair of fuel vanes extending from the center hub to the shroud, and a vanelet extending from the center hub and/or the shroud and positioned between the pair of fuel vanes.

Abstract: The present application provides a fuel nozzle for use in a gas turbine. The fuel nozzle may include a mounting flange, a number of premixers attached to each other, and a number of gas pathways extending from the mounting flange to the number of premixers.

Abstract: A nozzle for assemblies and gas turbines is provided. The nozzle exhibits destabilized flame holding characteristics, i.e., the nozzle is unable to stabilize flame up to an equivalence ratio of about 0.65. As a result, flame heat release is delayed resulting in lower peak flame temperatures and correspondingly lower NOx levels. Flame stabilization capability is retained for higher equivalence ratios to support operation of the combustor in other regions of the load range.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a turbine engine includes an air admission shroud which admits a flow of air from an exterior of the fuel nozzle into an interior of the fuel nozzle at a position along the length of the fuel nozzle. A plurality of air admission apertures in the air admission shroud could be arranged to cause the air being admitted into the interior of the fuel nozzle to swirl around the interior of the fuel nozzle in a rotational fashion. If the fuel nozzle also includes swirler vanes located upstream of the air admission shroud, which also induce air within the fuel nozzle to swirl around the interior of the fuel nozzle in a rotational fashion, then the air admission apertures of the air admission shroud preferably cause the air admitted through the air admission shroud to swirl in a rotational direction which is opposite to the swirl induced by the swirler vanes. This helps to better mix the air and the fuel within the nozzle.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle including a swirler assembly that includes a shroud, a hub, and a plurality of vanes extending between the shroud and the hub. Each vane includes a pressure sidewall and an opposite suction sidewall coupled to the pressure sidewall at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. At least one suction side fuel injection orifice is formed adjacent to the leading edge and extends from a first fuel supply passage to the suction sidewall. A fuel injection angle is oriented with respect to the suction sidewall. The suction side fuel injection orifice is configured to discharge fuel outward from the suction sidewall. At least one pressure side fuel injection orifice extends from a second fuel supply passage to the pressure sidewall and is substantially parallel to the trailing edge. The pressure side fuel injection orifice is configured to discharge fuel tangentially from the trailing edge.

Abstract: A gas turbine equipped with a burner, which has an axial swirler for generating turbulence in a flow of comburent air, a secondary supply line of fuel gas, a main supply line of fuel gas arranged concentrically around the secondary line, and a pilot line of fuel gas. Accordingly, the burner is ignited by firing a spark and feeding, towards the spark, comburent air and fuel gas which is synthesis gas.

Abstract: A swirler for mixing fuel and air is provided. The swirler includes a plurality of vanes positioned radially around a central axis of the swirler and a plurality of mixing channels for mixing fuel and air. At least one mixing channel of the plurality of mixing channels is defined by opposite walls of two adjacent vanes of the plurality of vanes. The at least one mixing channel includes at least one fuel injection opening arranged at an upstream sections of the at least one mixing channel. The at least one mixing channel also includes an axial swirler arranged at a downstream section of the at least one mixing channel.