WO2019022862A1

WO2019022862A1 - Particulate-deflecting arrangement for reducing ingestion of particulates in a combustion turbine engine

Info

Publication number: WO2019022862A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/038149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reinhard Schilp
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft; Siemens Energy, Inc.
Priority date: 2017-07-24
Filing date: 2018-06-19
Publication date: 2019-01-31

Abstract

A particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) for reducing ingestion of particulates into a turbine section of a combustion turbine engine is provided. This arrangement includes a deflector member (12) annularly arranged between a casing of the combustion turbine engine and a transition duct exit. Conduits 18, e.g., unrestricted conduits, are arranged in the deflector member to convey a flow of cooling fluid received from a compressor stage into the turbine section. Each conduit 18 defines a respective inlet (20) configured to protrude (non-flush) relative to a flow-deflecting surface (22) of deflector member (12). The respective inlet is angled (e.g., tilted) relative to a main direction of the flow of cooling fluid. This arrangement is effective for reducing ingestion of particulates into the turbine section of the combustion turbine engine, without compromising a desired pressurization level for the flow of cooling air being conveyed to the turbine section.

Description

P ARTICULATE-DEFLECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR REDUCING INGESTION OF PARTICULATES IN A COMBUSTION TURBINE ENGINE

[0001] BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] Disclosed embodiments are generally related to a combustion turbine engine, and, more particularly, to a particulate-deflecting arrangement for reducing ingestion of particulates into a turbine section of a combustion turbine engine.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A combustion turbine engine, such as a gas turbine engine, includes for example a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. Intake air is compressed in the compressor section and then mixed with fuel. The mixture is ignited in the combustor section to produce a high-temperature and high-pressure flow of combustion gases conveyed by a transition duct system to the turbine section of the engine, where thermal energy is converted to mechanical energy.

[0006] Particulates, either picked-up from the ambient environment or from within the engine, may reach the mid-frame of the combustion turbine engine through a flow of cooling fluid (e.g., air) conveyed from the compressor section to the turbine section, such as may be conveyed into a first stage turbine vane structure. If left unimpeded, these particulates could eventually clog cooling features and channels in components in the turbine section, such as vanes and blades. To reduce ingestion of such particulates into the turbine section of the gas turbine engine, various schemes have been employed in the past. See US patent 4,820,123 for general background information in connection with certain known schemes.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, generally frontal, isometric view of a disclosed particulate-deflecting arrangement for reducing ingestion of particulates into a turbine section of a combustion turbine engine.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, generally lateral isometric view of a disclosed particulate-deflecting arrangement. [0010] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, isometric view of one non-limiting embodiment of tubular members that may be arranged through apertures circumferentially arranged in a deflector member of a disclosed particulate-deflecting arrangement.

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The inventor of the present invention has recognized certain issues that can arise in connection with certain known arrangements for reducing ingestion of particulates into the turbine section of a combustion turbine engine. These

arrangements may include a ramp mounted upstream of the first stage turbine vane structure with respect to a flow of cooling air conveyed into the first stage turbine vane structure. The ramp redirects the flow of cooling air and is somewhat effective to prevent relatively large particulates from making the relatively sharp turn involved for the flow of cooling air to get into the turbine section, such as through a gap between a transition exit and the first stage turbine vane structure. This gap must be sufficiently large to avoid introducing incremental pressure drop to the flow of cooling air being conveyed into the stage one turbine vane structure. However, the presence of such a large gap makes feasible for medium-size particles, for example, to be ingested into the turbine section with the potential for clogging the cooling features and channels in the components in the turbine section.

[0013] In view of such recognition, the present inventor proposes an innovative particulate-deflecting arrangement that advantageously reduces the gap (e.g., spacing) between the transition exit and the first stage turbine vane structure. Accordingly, in a cost-effective and reliable manner, the proposed particulate-deflecting arrangement is expected to reduce ingestion of particulates into the turbine section of the combustion turbine engine, without compromising a desired pressurization level for the flow of cooling air being conveyed to the turbine section. [0014] In the following detailed description, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details, that the present invention is not limited to the depicted embodiments, and that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of alternative embodiments. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components, which would be well-understood by one skilled in the art have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessary and burdensome explanation.

[0015] Furthermore, various operations may be described as multiple discrete steps performed in a manner that is helpful for understanding embodiments of the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations need be performed in the order they are presented, nor that they are even order dependent, unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, repeated usage of the phrase "in one embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. It is noted that disclosed embodiments need not be construed as mutually exclusive embodiments, since aspects of such disclosed embodiments may be appropriately combined by one skilled in the art depending on the needs of a given application.

[0016] The terms "comprising", "including", "having", and the like, as used in the present application, are intended to be synonymous unless otherwise indicated. Lastly, as used herein, the phrases "configured to" or "arranged to" embrace the concept that the feature preceding the phrases "configured to" or "arranged to" is intentionally and specifically designed or made to act or function in a specific way and should not be construed to mean that the feature just has a capability or suitability to act or function in the specified way, unless so indicated.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, generally frontal, isometric view of a disclosed parti culate-deflecting arrangement 10 for reducing ingestion of particulates into a turbine section of a combustion turbine engine. In one non-limiting embodiment, a deflector member 12 is annularly arranged between a casing 14 of the combustion turbine engine and a transition duct exit 16 (for simplicity of illustration just an arc segment of parti culate-deflecting arrangement 10 is shown in the figures). A plurality of conduits 18, such as a plurality of tubular members, is arranged in deflector member 12 to convey a flow of cooling fluid received from the compressor stage into the turbine section.

[0018] Each conduit 18 includes a respective inlet 20 configured to protrude (conceptually analogous to an uprightly positioned collar) relative to a flow-deflecting surface 22 of deflector member 12. Inlet 20 is angled relative to a main direction of the flow of cooling fluid (without limitation, conceptually represented by arrow 19 in FIG. 1). This protruding arrangement of inlet 20 (in lieu of an inlet configured to be flush with flow-deflecting surface 22) substantially reduces the likelihood of ingestion of particulates that may be contained in the flow of cooling fluid received from the compressor stage. For example, such particulates would strike the protruding side wall of inlet 20, and thus would be separated from the flow of cooling fluid being redirected by deflector member 12.

[0019] This redirected flow of cooling fluid (without limitation, conceptually represented by arrow 23 in FIG. 1), which would be substantially free of particulates {such as large or mid-size particulates, relative to the size of the cooling features or channels that otherwise could be clogged in components in the turbine section, such as vanes and blades} essentially would be the flow of cooling fluid conveyed into the turbine section through conduits 18. It should be appreciated that aspects of disclosed embodiments are not limited to the specific geometrical arrangements (e.g., inclination of deflector member 12, tilt angle of inlet 20 relative to flow-deflecting surface 22) and flow directions illustrated in the figures. For example, although protruding inlet 20 is shown as being generally perpendicular to flow-deflecting surface 22, it will be appreciated that this aspect should be construed as a non-limiting illustration since the specific angular relationship between protruding inlet 20 and flow-deflecting surface 22 need not be perpendicular and may be readily tailored based on the needs of a given application, so long as the inlet is appropriately angled (e.g., tilted) relative to the main direction of the flow of cooling fluid.

[0020] In one non-limiting embodiment, conduits 18, may comprise a plurality of unrestricted conduits, e.g., tubular members, round tubes or any desired shape, as may be received in apertures 24 (one such aperture is shown without a tube in FIG. 3) circumferentially arranged in deflector member 12. In one non-limiting embodiment, at least some of the plurality of round tubes may be mounted or otherwise affixed to deflector member 12 so that a respective axially-intermediate tube location 26 between mutually opposed first and second ends 28, 30 of the tube is centrally located in a respective aperture.

[0021] In one non-limiting embodiment, inlet 20 may extend between first end 28 of the tube and the respective axially-intermediate tube location 26, and a respective outlet 32 would extend between the respective axially-intermediate tube location 26 and the second end 30 of the tube. Outlet 32 may be configured to protrude away from a surface 34 opposite flow-deflecting surface of deflector member 12. In one non-limiting embodiment, the number of conduits 18 (e.g., number of round tubes), and the respective diameter of such tubes may be chosen so that the level of pressure drop in the flow of cooling fluid conveyed into the turbine section is within a desired level. For example, below the level of pressure drop that would develop in the flow of cooling fluid using other filtering techniques, e.g., using restriction filters in lieu of unrestricted conduits 18.

[0022] In one-non-limiting embodiment, deflector member 12 may be disposed between a first flange 36 and a second flange 38 of particulate-deflecting arrangement 10. In one non-limiting embodiment, first flange 36 may be configured for affixing particulate-deflecting arrangement 10 to a corresponding surface of casing 14. In one non-limiting embodiment, second flange 38 may be configured for establishing a gap 40 (FIG. 2) between transition duct exit 16 and particulate- deflecting arrangement 10. This gap may provide sufficient clearance to

accommodate displacements that may occur between transition duct exit 16 and particulate-deflecting arrangement 10 during operation of the engine.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the inclusion of an appropriate number (and appropriately sized) conduits 18 in particulate-deflecting arrangement 10 is effective for reducing the size of gap 40 between transition duct exit 16 and particulate shielding arrangement 10. Without limitation, gap 40 should be sufficiently small so that the pressure drop across the gap is sufficiently large so that practically all of the flow of cooling fluid will be conveyed through conduits 18. It will be further appreciated that reducing the size of gap 40 between transition duct exit 16 and particulate-deflecting arrangement 10 is additionally effective to reduce the likelihood of ingestion of large and midsize particulates through gap 40. [0024] In one non-limiting embodiment, a shielding member 42 may extend radially inward from deflector member 12 toward casing 14. Shielding member 42 may be arranged upstream of outlet 32 for shielding entry of particulates through orifices 44 (e.g., pre-swirler supply orifices) constructed in casing 14, and which are in fluid communication with the turbine section. It will be further appreciated that shielding member 42 constitutes a support structure (e.g., a support leg) that contributes to the structural integrity of parti culate-deflecting arrangement 10. In one non-limiting embodiment, shielding member 42 is spaced apart from a circumferential periphery of orifice 44, and shielding member 42 may be shaped to define an arc positioned to span a corresponding arc of the circumferential periphery of orifice 44.

[0025] In operation, disclosed embodiments are expected to provide in a cost- effective manner a particulate-deflecting arrangement effective for reducing ingestion of particulates into the turbine section of the combustion turbine engine, without compromising a desired pressurization level for the flow of cooling air being conveyed to the turbine section. Disclosed embodiments are expected to lower a likelihood of overheating due to clogging of cooling features and channels in components in the turbine section, such as vanes and blades.

[0026] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many

modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention and its equivalents, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A parti culate-deflecting arrangement (10) for reducing ingestion of particulates into a turbine section of a combustion turbine engine, the particulate-deflecting arrangement comprising:

a deflector member (12) annularly arranged between a casing (14) of the combustion turbine engine and a transition duct exit (16);

a plurality of conduits (18) arranged in the deflector member (12) to convey a flow of cooling fluid received from a compressor stage into the turbine section, wherein each conduit (18) comprises a respective inlet (20) configured to protrude relative to a flow-deflecting surface (22) of the deflector member (12), wherein the respective inlet (20) is angled relative to a main direction of the flow of cooling fluid.

2. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conduits (18) comprises a plurality of tubular members through the deflector member (12).

3. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 2, wherein the plurality of tubular members comprises a plurality of round tubes received in apertures (24) circumferentially arranged in the deflector member (12).

4. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 3, wherein a respective round tube of the plurality of round tubes is disposed so that a respective axially- intermediate tube location between mutually opposed first and second ends (28, 30) of the respective tube is centrally located in a respective aperture (24) of the apertures (24) circumferentially arranged in the deflector section.

5. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 3, wherein the respective inlet (20) extends between the first end (28) of the respective tube and the respective axially-intermediate tube location (26), and wherein a respective outlet (32) extends between the respective axially-intermediate tube location (26) and the second end (30) of the respective tube, the respective outlet (32) protruding away from a surface (34) opposite the flow-deflecting surface of the deflector member (12).

6. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 3, wherein a number of the plurality of round tubes, and a diameter of the plurality of round tubes are chosen so that a level of pressure drop in the flow of cooling fluid conveyed into the turbine section is within a desired level.

7. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 1, wherein the deflector member (12) is disposed between a first flange (36) and a second flange (38) of the particulate-deflecting arrangement (10).

8. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 7, wherein the first flange (36) is configured for affixing the particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) to a corresponding surface of the casing (14).

9. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 7, wherein the second flange (38) is configured for establishing a gap between the transition duct exit (16) and the particulate-deflecting arrangement (10).

10. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 9, wherein the gap is configured to provide a clearance to accommodate displacements that occur between the transition duct exit (16) and the particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) during operation of the combustion turbine engine.

11. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 1, further comprising a shielding member (42) extending radially inward from the deflector member (12), the shielding member (42) arranged upstream relative to a respective outlet (32) of a respective one of the plurality of conduits for shielding entry of particulates through a respective orifice (44) in the casing (14) in fluid communication with the turbine section.

12. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 11, wherein the shielding member (42) is spaced apart from a circumferential periphery of the respective orifice (44), and wherein the shielding member (42) defines an arc positioned to span a corresponding arc of the circumferential periphery of the respective orifice (44).

13. The parti culate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conduits (18) comprises a plurality of unrestricted conduits.

14. The particulate-deflecting arrangement (10) of claim 11, wherein the shielding member (42) constitutes a support structure for the particulate-deflecting arrangement (10).