WO1998051912A1 - Contained gas-turbine engine - Google Patents

Contained gas-turbine engine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998051912A1
WO1998051912A1 PCT/AU1998/000322 AU9800322W WO9851912A1 WO 1998051912 A1 WO1998051912 A1 WO 1998051912A1 AU 9800322 W AU9800322 W AU 9800322W WO 9851912 A1 WO9851912 A1 WO 9851912A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
engine
gas
duct
intake
turbine
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1998/000322
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Damien Condon
Original Assignee
Condon, Carleen, Veronica
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Condon, Carleen, Veronica filed Critical Condon, Carleen, Veronica
Priority to AU71993/98A priority Critical patent/AU737136B2/en
Publication of WO1998051912A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998051912A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02C—GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F02C3/00—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid
    • F02C3/34—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid with recycling of part of the working fluid, i.e. semi-closed cycles with combustion products in the closed part of the cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02C—GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F02C3/00—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid
    • F02C3/20—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid using a special fuel, oxidant, or dilution fluid to generate the combustion products
    • F02C3/30—Adding water, steam or other fluids for influencing combustion, e.g. to obtain cleaner exhaust gases
    • F02C3/305—Increasing the power, speed, torque or efficiency of a gas turbine or the thrust of a turbojet engine by injecting or adding water, steam or other fluids

Definitions

  • This invention relates to gas-turbine engines and in particular the kind including a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section and having a gas intake and a gas exhaust outlet.
  • gas-turbine engines The noise generated by gas-turbine engines is a well known problem and one which severely limited the uses to which the turbines can be put. Additionally, like all combustion engines there is a significant amount of unde- sirable pollution generated in a gas turbine engine which normally enters the atmosphere. Also, the fuel flow needed to maintain self-sustaining operation of a gas-turbine engine at or near to sea level is relatively high when compared with other fuel burning engines or gas turbine engines operating at higher altitudes.
  • this invention provides a gas-turbine engine of the kind in- eluding a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section and having a gas intake and a gas exhaust outlet, said engine further comprising a duct interconnecting said outlet and said intake to direct exhaust gas to said intake, said duct having a diverging cross sectional area from said outlet to said intake to reduce gas velocity and gas temperature; and means to supply a combustion sustaining gas to said combustion section.
  • the engine also includes means to inject water into the engine.
  • This can, for example, take the form of a water injection into the gas stream entering the gas intake or gas exhaust or by way of water injected directly into the combustion section or before the gas generator turbine(s) or power turbine(s).
  • Said water sprayed into the gas stream cools the said gases being directed into the compressor and combustion section.
  • the water is converted to steam during the combustion process and increases the volumetric expansion of the gas mixture in the combustion section.
  • Means are preferably provided to return any condensed water in the duct to a water storage tank via one or more filters and one or more coolers. This enables any residue in the water to be removed by the filter(s).
  • all gas egressing from the duct is channelled via a filter(s) so as to remove potential environmental contaminants.
  • the combustion gas is provided directly to the combustion section although it is also possible to entrain the combustion gas in the gas stream flowing through the gas intake or into the exhaust duct downstream of the power turbine where the gas velocity is high.
  • the combustion gas is oxygen although mixtures of oxygen and other gases may also be used.
  • two or more engines can be arranged in series so that the duct extends from the outlet of one engine to the intake of another engine.
  • the duct from the exhaust of the final engine interconnects with the intake of the first engine of the series.
  • the fuel used in the engine of this invention can be any suitable flammable fluid such as kerosene, natural or liquid petroleum gas, alcohol or a mixture of such fluids.
  • the engine does not require a high octane fuel.
  • the engine of this invention is particularly suited to applications where a small high revving engine can be appropriately geared to provide power. Such applications include electricity generation and in particular, direct generator drive or battery recharging in electric vehicles. Larger engines are suitable for directly driving vehicles, for example, through a torque conver- tor.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas-turbine engine according to this invention.
  • a gas-turbine engine is schematically shown w ⁇ tri a casing enclosing a turbine mounted on a shaft.
  • An output drive shaft is connected with the turbine shaft by appropriate gearing (not shown) to provide output power from the engine.
  • Supply lines for the delivery of fuel and air including oxygen are schematically shown extending into the combustion section of the engine.
  • An igniter is also shown.
  • the housing has an exhaust outlet which is connected by a divergent duct to the intake of the engine.
  • a water tank is pro- vided and an appropriate pump supplies water via a spray into the intake of the engine.
  • Return lines are provided via filter/coolers from the duct to return condensed water to the water container.
  • a pressure relief valve and exhaust filter are provided in the outlets.
  • Air/water membranes (not shown) can be added to reduce water loss to the atmosphere.
  • An inlet door is provided in the duct. This door is opened for engine start to reduce load on starting mechanism (not shown). The door is closed once the engine is self-sustaining.
  • the gas-turbine engine of this invention operates in substantially the same manner as a conventional gas-turbine engine except that all or most of the exhaust gases are circulated to the intake.
  • the divergent duct ensures a gradual expansion of the gases with a resultant velocity drop and tempera- ture drop and a consequent relative pressure increase before the burnt gases re-enter the compressor and combustion section.
  • the water sprayed into the duct helps to cool the burnt gases further.
  • the engine will require a fuel flow (SFC) lower than that of a conventional gas turbine engine of similar power output operating at the same rpm because less fuel is needed to heat the already hot gas mixture to the desired turbine inlet temperature and the fuel to oxygen ratio can be accurately controlled.
  • the fast moving gases through the intake will offer some windmilling effect thus reducing the engine turbine work load for any given turbine inlet temperature. Since most of the exhaust gases are returned to the engine intake, exhaust noise output is considerably reduced.
  • compressor noise output is negligible.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Supercharger (AREA)

Abstract

A 'Contained Gas-Turbine Engine' is disclosed. This invention relates to a typical gas-turbine engine having a gas intake, a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section and an exhaust outlet. The said exhaust outlet being connected to the said intake via a duct having a diverging cross-sectional area from said outlet to said intake and a means of supplying a combustion sustaining gas to the said combustion section, not necessarily directly via the engine intake as in a typical gas-turbine engine. The gases circulating through this engine are mainly burnt and hot gases (including steam) from the engine exhaust duct. Water is injected into the duct to cool the gases and to improve volumetric expansion of the gas mixture in the combustion section. Pressure relief in the enclosed system is by exhaust bleeds around the duct. Two or more 'Contained Gas-Turbine Engines' as described can be joined in series with the exhaust outlet of one engine being joined by a diverging duct to the intake of the second engine; the exhaust outlet of the second engine being similarly joined to the inlet of the first engine. Other engines can be added in series.

Description

CONTAINED GAS-TURBINE ENGINE
This invention relates to gas-turbine engines and in particular the kind including a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section and having a gas intake and a gas exhaust outlet.
The noise generated by gas-turbine engines is a well known problem and one which severely limited the uses to which the turbines can be put. Additionally, like all combustion engines there is a significant amount of unde- sirable pollution generated in a gas turbine engine which normally enters the atmosphere. Also, the fuel flow needed to maintain self-sustaining operation of a gas-turbine engine at or near to sea level is relatively high when compared with other fuel burning engines or gas turbine engines operating at higher altitudes.
It is the object of this invention to provide an improved gas-turbine engine which will overcome, or at least ameliorate, the foregoing disadvantages.
Accordingly, this invention provides a gas-turbine engine of the kind in- eluding a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section and having a gas intake and a gas exhaust outlet, said engine further comprising a duct interconnecting said outlet and said intake to direct exhaust gas to said intake, said duct having a diverging cross sectional area from said outlet to said intake to reduce gas velocity and gas temperature; and means to supply a combustion sustaining gas to said combustion section.
Preferably, the engine also includes means to inject water into the engine. This can, for example, take the form of a water injection into the gas stream entering the gas intake or gas exhaust or by way of water injected directly into the combustion section or before the gas generator turbine(s) or power turbine(s). Said water sprayed into the gas stream cools the said gases being directed into the compressor and combustion section. In all cases the water is converted to steam during the combustion process and increases the volumetric expansion of the gas mixture in the combustion section. Means are preferably provided to return any condensed water in the duct to a water storage tank via one or more filters and one or more coolers. This enables any residue in the water to be removed by the filter(s).
Preferably, all gas egressing from the duct is channelled via a filter(s) so as to remove potential environmental contaminants. In the preferred form of the invention the combustion gas is provided directly to the combustion section although it is also possible to entrain the combustion gas in the gas stream flowing through the gas intake or into the exhaust duct downstream of the power turbine where the gas velocity is high. Preferably, the combustion gas is oxygen although mixtures of oxygen and other gases may also be used.
In one form of the invention two or more engines can be arranged in series so that the duct extends from the outlet of one engine to the intake of another engine. The duct from the exhaust of the final engine interconnects with the intake of the first engine of the series.
The fuel used in the engine of this invention can be any suitable flammable fluid such as kerosene, natural or liquid petroleum gas, alcohol or a mixture of such fluids. The engine does not require a high octane fuel.
The engine of this invention is particularly suited to applications where a small high revving engine can be appropriately geared to provide power. Such applications include electricity generation and in particular, direct generator drive or battery recharging in electric vehicles. Larger engines are suitable for directly driving vehicles, for example, through a torque conver- tor.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic diagram of a gas-turbine engine according to this invention. As shown in the drawing a gas-turbine engine is schematically shown wϊtri a casing enclosing a turbine mounted on a shaft. An output drive shaft is connected with the turbine shaft by appropriate gearing (not shown) to provide output power from the engine.
Supply lines for the delivery of fuel and air including oxygen, are schematically shown extending into the combustion section of the engine. An igniter is also shown. The housing has an exhaust outlet which is connected by a divergent duct to the intake of the engine. A water tank is pro- vided and an appropriate pump supplies water via a spray into the intake of the engine. Return lines are provided via filter/coolers from the duct to return condensed water to the water container. Although only a single outlet and cooler condenser are shown a practical version of the engine may have multiple outlets from the exhaust/inlet duct, all leading to the top of a cooler(s). A pressure relief valve and exhaust filter are provided in the outlets. Air/water membranes (not shown) can be added to reduce water loss to the atmosphere. An inlet door is provided in the duct. This door is opened for engine start to reduce load on starting mechanism (not shown). The door is closed once the engine is self-sustaining.
In use, the gas-turbine engine of this invention operates in substantially the same manner as a conventional gas-turbine engine except that all or most of the exhaust gases are circulated to the intake. The divergent duct ensures a gradual expansion of the gases with a resultant velocity drop and tempera- ture drop and a consequent relative pressure increase before the burnt gases re-enter the compressor and combustion section. The water sprayed into the duct helps to cool the burnt gases further. The engine will require a fuel flow (SFC) lower than that of a conventional gas turbine engine of similar power output operating at the same rpm because less fuel is needed to heat the already hot gas mixture to the desired turbine inlet temperature and the fuel to oxygen ratio can be accurately controlled. Also, the fast moving gases through the intake will offer some windmilling effect thus reducing the engine turbine work load for any given turbine inlet temperature. Since most of the exhaust gases are returned to the engine intake, exhaust noise output is considerably reduced.
Since the compressor section is not exposed to the outside environment, compressor noise output is negligible.
The forgoing describes only one embodiment of this invention and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSThe claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. A Contained Gas-Turbine Engine of the kind including a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section and having a gas intake and a gas exhaust outlet, said engine further comprising a duct interconnecting said outlet and said intake to direct all or most of any exhaust gas from said exhaust outlet to said intake, said duct having a diverging cross sectional area from said outlet to said inlet, said duct being able to provide pressure relief; and means to supply a combustion sustaining gas to said combustion section.
2. The Contained Gas-Turbine Engine of claim 1 being connected to a second similar gas-turbine engine by a duct joining the exhaust outlet of said engine to the inlet duct of the second engine; the exhaust outlet of the second engine being connected to the inlet duct of the first said engine; the said engines being joined in series.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 24 August 1998 (24.08.98); original claim 1 amended; remaining claim unchanged (1 page)]
The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. A Contained Gas-Turbine Engine of the kind including a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section and having a gas intake and a gas exhaust outlet, said engine further comprising a duct interconnecting said outlet and said intake to direct all exhaust gas from said exhaust outlet to said intake, said duct having a diverging cross sectional area from said outlet to said inlet, or plenum chamber housing said inlet, said duct being able to provide pressure relief; and means to supply a combustion sustaining gas to said combustion section.
2. The Contained Gas-Turbine Engine of claim 1 being connected to a second similar gas-turbine engine by a duct joining the exhaust outlet of said engine to the inlet duct of the second engine; the exhaust outlet of the second engine being connected to the inlet duct of the first said engine; the said engines being joined in series.
STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19
The idea of recycling the exhaust gases of a conventional gas-turbine engine back to the compressor inlet as described in Claim 1 is not novel.
Redirecting all (100%) of the exhaust gases from a conventional gas-turbine engine to the compressor inlet via ducting specifically designed to maintain the high exhaust mass flow, thus reducing the compressor load, but with some pressure bleed to the atmosphere, may be novel.
The amended claim 1 includes the option of adding a plenum chamber surrounding the compressor inlet at the end of the divergent duct. Both the divergent duct and the plenum chamber are intended to increase the pressure of the exhaust gases before entry to the compressor. The plenum chamber permits the use of a double-sided centrifugal compressor. The schematic drawing of the Contained Gas-Turbine Engine (Drawing 1/1) depicts an axial compressor for ease of illustration only; either type can be used but the centrifugal type(s) is preferred.
Joining two or more gas-turbine engines together so that all the exhaust gases of one engine are directed to the intake of the second engine, and all the exhaust gases of the second engine are directed to the intake of the first engine, with pressure relief provided in any one of those ducts, and means to supply a combustion sustaining gas to the combustion sections, as described, is novel.
PCT/AU1998/000322 1997-05-15 1998-05-06 Contained gas-turbine engine WO1998051912A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU71993/98A AU737136B2 (en) 1997-05-15 1998-05-06 Contained gas-turbine engine

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO6806A AUPO680697A0 (en) 1997-05-15 1997-05-15 Contained gas-turbine engine
AUPO6806 1997-05-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998051912A1 true WO1998051912A1 (en) 1998-11-19

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ID=3801097

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1998/000322 WO1998051912A1 (en) 1997-05-15 1998-05-06 Contained gas-turbine engine

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WO (1) WO1998051912A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999035383A1 (en) * 1998-01-02 1999-07-15 Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation Gas turbine engines connected in series
WO2010131941A1 (en) * 2009-05-13 2010-11-18 Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) Gas turbine engine
CN114636558A (en) * 2022-03-17 2022-06-17 重庆江增船舶重工有限公司 Turbocharger compressor impeller containment test method

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3844113A (en) * 1972-11-02 1974-10-29 H Lockwood Friction impulse gas turbine
US4133171A (en) * 1977-03-07 1979-01-09 Hydragon Corporation Temperature stratified turbine compressors
US5724805A (en) * 1995-08-21 1998-03-10 University Of Massachusetts-Lowell Power plant with carbon dioxide capture and zero pollutant emissions

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3844113A (en) * 1972-11-02 1974-10-29 H Lockwood Friction impulse gas turbine
US4133171A (en) * 1977-03-07 1979-01-09 Hydragon Corporation Temperature stratified turbine compressors
US5724805A (en) * 1995-08-21 1998-03-10 University Of Massachusetts-Lowell Power plant with carbon dioxide capture and zero pollutant emissions

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999035383A1 (en) * 1998-01-02 1999-07-15 Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation Gas turbine engines connected in series
US6079197A (en) * 1998-01-02 2000-06-27 Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation High temperature compression and reheat gas turbine cycle and related method
WO2010131941A1 (en) * 2009-05-13 2010-11-18 Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) Gas turbine engine
CN114636558A (en) * 2022-03-17 2022-06-17 重庆江增船舶重工有限公司 Turbocharger compressor impeller containment test method

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Publication number Publication date
AUPO680697A0 (en) 1997-06-05

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