Controlled evaporation and heating of fuels for turbine engines
US10989118B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2018 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Provided are turbine engines and methods of operating thereof by heating and evaporating liquid fuels in a controlled manner prior to burning. Specifically, a fuel is heated and evaporated while avoiding coking. Coking is caused by pyrolysis when the fuel contacts a metal surface within a certain temperature range, which is referred herein to a coking temperature range. In the described methods, the fuel is transferred from one component, maintained below the coking temperature range, to another component, maintained above this range. The fuel is airborne and does not contact any metal surfaces during this transfer, and coking does not occur. In some examples, the fuel is also mixed with hot air during this transfer. The heated fuel, e.g., as an air-fuel mixture, is then supplied into a combustor, where more air is added to reach flammability conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.