Methods and apparatus for heating a fluid
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsYu Wang, George Hanna Ghanime, Chi Tang, Guy Wayne DeLeonardo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for heating a fluid in a turbine engine is provided. The method includes channeling an exhaust flow through an exhaust duct of the turbine engine and coupling a panel to the exhaust duct. The panel includes a first wall and an opposite second wall that is spaced a distance from the first wall such that at least one passageway is defined within the panel. The fluid is supplied to the at least one passageway through an inlet defined at a first end of the passageway, such that heat is transferred from the exhaust flow to the fluid flowing through the panel. The fluid is injected into the turbine engine.
Claims20
A method for heating a fluid fuel in a turbine engine, said method comprising:
- channeling an exhaust flow through an exhaust duct of the turbine engine;
- coupling a panel to the exhaust duct, wherein the panel has an arcuate cross-sectional shape and includes a first wall and an opposite second wall that is spaced a distance from the first wall such that at least one passageway is defined within the panel;
- supplying fuel to the at least one passageway through an inlet defined at a first end of the passageway, such that heat is transferred from the exhaust flow to the fuel flowing through the panel;
- and
- injecting fuel into the turbine engine.
A heat exchanger for a turbine engine, said heat exchanger comprising:
- at least one panel having an arcuate cross-sectional shape and comprising a first wall, an opposite second wall, and at least one passageway extending therebetween, said at least one panel configured to transfer heat from a turbine exhaust flow to fuel flowing through said at least one panel;
- at least one inlet coupled in flow communication with said at least one passageway, said at least one inlet configured to channel fuel into said at least one passageway;
- and
- at least one outlet defined in said at least one panel, said at least one outlet coupled in flow communication to said at least one passageway for discharging fuel from said at least one panel to said turbine engine.
A fuel supply assembly for a turbine engine, said assembly comprising:
- a fuel supply line comprising a heat exchange section;
- and
- an exhaust duct comprising an exhaust flow therein;
- said heat exchange section comprising:
- a panel having an arcuate cross-sectional shape and comprising a first wall, an opposite second wall, and at least one passageway extending therebetween, said panel configured to transfer heat from said exhaust flow to a fuel flowing through said panel;
- at least one inlet coupled in flow communication with said at least one passageway, said at least one inlet configured to channel fuel into said at least one passageway;
- and
- at least one outlet defined in said panel, said at least one outlet coupled in flow communication to said at least one passageway for discharging fuel from said panel to a combustor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.