Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc.

Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

David Yee

Sarento George Nickolas

Ralph Albert Dalla Betta

Marco Antonio Velasco

Robert Anthony Corr, Ii

Dag Reppen

Ajay Joshi

According to one aspect, a method of detecting catalyst module overheating in a catalytic combustion system is provided. In one example, the method includes detecting one or more signals from at least one probe adapted to obtain values associated with at least one of the outlet gas temperature of a catalyst module and the outlet face temperature of the catalyst module included in a catalytic combustor. The one or more signals are compared with a preselected value associated with catalyst overheating. The detected temperature may be detected over time to determine a rate of change in the temperature. The temperature may be detected with a UV sensor directed to the catalyst outlet face.

Catalyst module overheating detection and methods of response

According to one aspect, a method of controlling a multi-combustor catalytic combustion system is provided for determining a characteristic of a fuel-air mixture downstream of a preburner associated with a catalytic combustor and adjusting the fuel flow to the preburner based on the characteristic. The characteristic may include, for example, a measurement of the preburner or catalyst outlet temperature or a determination of the position of the homogeneous combustion wave in the burnout zone of the combustor.

Dynamic control system and method for multi-combustor catalytic gas turbine engine

A control system for a catalytic combustion system on a gas turbine includes a flame preburner, a fuel injector positioned downstream of the preburner and a catalyst positioned downstream of the fuel injector. In such systems, a portion of the fuel combusts within the catalyst itself and the remainder of the fuel combusts in a homogeneous combustion process wave downstream of the catalyst. A sensor in communication with the control system monitors the homogeneous combustion process wave and adjusts the gas temperature at the catalyst inlet to a preferred value based on a predetermined schedule that relates the catalyst inlet gas temperature to operating fundamentals such as adiabatic combustion temperature or the gas turbine's exhaust gas temperature.

Control strategy for flexible catalytic combustion system

The present additional control strategy has been developed to allow the gas turbine to operate at lower load or at other conditions where the total fuel required by the gas turbine is not optimum for full combustion of the fuel. The present invention manages air that bypasses the catalytic combustor and air that bleeds off of the compressor discharge. The bypass system changes the fuel air ratio of the catalytic combustor without affecting the overall gas turbine power output. The bleed system also changes the fuel air ratio of the catalytic combustor but at the cost of reducing the overall gas turbine efficiency. The key advantage of a catalytic combustor with a bypass and bleed system and the inventive control strategy is that it can maintain the catalyst at optimum low emissions operating conditions over a wider load range than a catalytic combustor without such a system.

Design and control strategy for catalytic combustion system with a wide operating range

Methods and apparatus, both devices and systems, for control of Zeldovich (thermal) NOx production in catalytic combustion systems during combustion of liquid or gaseous fuels in the post catalytic sections of gas turbines by reducing combustion residence time in the HC zone through control of the HC Wave, principally by adjusting the catalyst inlet temperature. As the fuel/air mixture inlet temperature (to the catalyst) is reduced, the HC Wave moves downstream (longer ignition delay time), shortens the residence time at high temperature, thereby reducing thermal NOx production. The countervailing increase in CO production by longer ignition delay times can be limited by selectively locating the HC Wave so that thermal NOx is reduced while power output and low CO production is maintained. NOx is reduced to on the order of <3 ppm, and preferably <2 ppm, while CO is maintained <100 ppm, typically <50 ppm, and preferably <5-10 ppm.

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Hayward, CA, United States of America

David Yee