System and method for operating a combustion chamber
AssigneeGeneral Electric Technology GmbH
InventorsCarl Bozzuto, Carl Neuschaefer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for operating a combustion chamber is provided. The method includes introducing a fuel into the combustion chamber via a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle having an associated stoichiometry for an output end of the nozzle. The method further includes measuring the stoichiometry of each nozzle via one or more sensors to obtain stoichiometric data, and determining that at least one of a frequency and an amplitude of spectral line fluctuations derived from the stoichiometric data has exceeded a threshold. The method further includes adjusting the stoichiometry of at least one of the nozzles based at least in part on the stoichiometric data so as to maintain a flame stability of the combustion chamber.
Claims11
A system for operating a combustion chamber comprising:
- a plurality of nozzles configured to introduce a fuel into the combustion chamber;
- one or more sensors configured to obtain stoichiometric data via measuring a stoichiometry associated with an output end of at least one of the nozzles, wherein the one or more sensors are spectral analyzers that measure the stoichiometry directly at the at least one of the nozzles by analyzing the frequencies of the photons emitted by the combustion of primary air and the fuel introduced into the combustion chamber by the at least one of the nozzles;
- and
- a controller in electronic communication with the nozzles and the one or more sensors;
- wherein the controller is configured to:
- determine that at least one of a frequency and an amplitude of spectral line fluctuations derived from the stoichiometric data has exceeded a threshold;
- and
- adjust the stoichiometry associated with an output end of at least one of the nozzles based at least in part on the stoichiometric data so as to maintain a flame stability of the combustion chamber;
- wherein the threshold is a change in frequency and/or amplitude of the spectral line fluctuations of between about 20% to about 25% from a baseline frequency and/or amplitude.
A system for operating a combustion chamber comprising:
- a plurality of nozzles configured to introduce a fuel into the combustion chamber;
- one or more sensors configured to obtain stoichiometric data via measuring a stoichiometry associated with an output end of at least one of the nozzles, wherein the one or more sensors are spectral analyzers that measure the stoichiometry at the at least one of the nozzles by analyzing the frequencies of the photons emitted by the combustion of primary air and the fuel introduced into the combustion chamber by the at least one of the nozzles;
- a flame stability sensor mounted adjacent to a top of the combustion chamber along a central axis of the combustion chamber and being configured to look down the central axis to monitor a flame stability of a fireball within the combustion chamber and below the flame stability sensor;
- and
- a controller in electronic communication with the nozzles and the one or more sensors;
- wherein the controller is configured to:
- determine that at least one of a frequency and an amplitude of spectral line fluctuations derived from the stoichiometric data has exceeded a threshold;
- and
- adjust the stoichiometry associated with an output end of at least one of the nozzles based at least in part on the stoichiometric data so as to maintain a flame stability of the combustion chamber;
- wherein the threshold is a change in frequency and/or amplitude of the spectral line fluctuations of between about 20% to about 25% from a baseline frequency and/or amplitude.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.