Methods relating to integrating late lean injection into combustion turbine engines

A method of manufacture for a late lean injection system in a combustor of a combustion turbine engine, wherein the combustor includes a flow assembly that includes an inner radial wall, which defines a primary combustion chamber downstream of a primary fuel nozzle, and an outer radial wall, which surrounds the inner radial wall forming a flow annulus therebetween, the method including the steps of:

• a) identifying a desired position within the flow assembly for a late lean injector in the combustor, wherein the late lean injector comprises a late lean nozzle and a transfer tube;
• b) corresponding to the desired position for the late lean injector, identifying an injection point on the inner radial wall and a late lean nozzle position on the outer radial wall;
• c) positioning the inner radial wall and the outer radial wall in an unassembled position;
• d) while the inner radial wall and the outer radial wall are in the unassembled position, forming a hole through the inner radial wall at the injection point and slideably engaging the transfer tube within the hole;
• e) installing the late lean nozzle in the outer radial wall at the late lean nozzle position;
• f) positioning the inner radial wall and the outer radial wall in an assembled position;
• and
• g) connecting the transfer tube to the late lean nozzle.