Optics: measuring and testing – By dispersed light spectroscopy – Utilizing a spectrometer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-07-31
Kim, Robert H. (Department: 2877)
Optics: measuring and testing
By dispersed light spectroscopy
Utilizing a spectrometer
C356S328000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06268913
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a combustor for burning fuel and, more specifically, to a combustor, such as a gas turbine combustor, for burning fuel and compressed air, and sensing the level of a contaminant, such as sodium, within the combustion flame. The invention also relates to a method for burning fuel and sensing the level of a contaminant within the combustion flame.
2. Background Information
In a gas turbine, fuel is burned with compressed air, produced by a compressor. The combustion reaction takes place in one or more combustors. An example of such a combustor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,586, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Substantial costs may arise due to corrosion of hot-section components of the gas turbine, including the combustors. Sodium, for example, is an extremely corrosive contaminant, even in small concentrations, to any hot-section component in the gas turbine.
Currently, fuel contaminants are typically identified by random, periodic fuel sampling. This requires both a technician, who is skilled in laboratory analysis, and a relatively expensive atomic emission spectrometer. However, problems may result due to the periodic nature of the sampling. For example, during periods when no fuel is sampled, it is possible for salt water (i.e., containing sodium) to contaminate the fuel, enter into the combustor, and initiate hot corrosion thereof.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a combustor with a non-obtrusive, economical, real-time, contaminant sensing function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need and others are satisfied by the invention which is directed to a combustor which senses the level of a contaminant within the combustion flame, and disables fuel delivery to the combustor as a function of the contaminant level.
As one aspect of the invention, a combustor for burning fuel comprises a combustion chamber; means for delivering the fuel to the combustion chamber; means for establishing a combustion flame in the combustion chamber by burning the fuel; at least one fuel line operatively connecting the means for delivering to a fuel supply; means for sensing a level of a contaminant within the combustion flame; and means for disabling the means for delivering as a function of the level of the contaminant.
The contaminant may be sodium, the combustion flame may include ionized sodium, and the means for sensing may include means for sensing the level of the ionized sodium in the combustion flame. As a refinement, the combustion flame has a spectrum, and the means for sensing the level of the contaminant includes spectrometer means for monitoring the spectrum of the combustion flame.
Preferably, the means for disabling includes means for storing the accumulation of a concentration level of the contaminant with respect to operating time of the combustor, and means for displaying the accumulation of the concentration level.
As another aspect of the invention, a gas turbine combustor for burning fuel comprises a combustion chamber; means for delivering the fuel to the combustion chamber; means for establishing a combustion flame having a combustion spectrum in the combustion chamber by burning the fuel with compressed air; at least one fuel line operatively connecting the means for delivering to a fuel supply; means employing the combustion spectrum of the combustion flame for sensing a level of a contaminant; and means for disabling the means for delivering as a function of the level of the contaminant.
As a further aspect of the invention, a method for burning fuel in a combustor comprises employing a combustion chamber; delivering the fuel to the combustion chamber; establishing a combustion flame in the combustion chamber by burning the fuel; sensing a level of a contaminant within the combustion flame; and stopping delivery of the fuel to the combustion chamber as a function of the level of the contaminant.
Preferably, the method further comprises storing an historical record of an accumulation of a concentration level of the contaminant with respect to operating time of the combustor; and displaying the historical record.
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Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott , LLC
Kim Robert H.
Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
Smith Zandra V.
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