System and method for removing a foreign object from an airstream entering a turbomachine

An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for removing foreign objects from the airstream entering an inlet system of a turbomachine. The system may include an electrostatic system that may be configured to charge conductive, or partially conductive foreign objects that are in the airstream flowing through the system. This system may create an electric field to draw the charged foreign objects, allowing for a collecting section to remove the charged foreign objects from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic accumulation system for collecting the foreign objects removed from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic cleaning system for cleaning components of the collecting system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the inlet system of a turbomachine; and more particularly to a system and method of removing foreign objects from the airstream entering the inlet system.

Some turbomachines, such as, but not limiting of, gas turbines, and aero-derivatives, have an air inlet system that channels the incoming airstream towards a compressor. The inlet system usually has a filter section, which screens the airstream of foreign objects and other undesired materials. Typically, the filter section comprises a plurality of static filters made of a reinforced paper media. Foreign objects within the airstream, such as, but not limiting of, dirt, debris, and other unwanted items, tend to accumulate on these filters.

There are a few concerns with the described method of removing foreign objects from the airstream. The accumulation of foreign objects on the filters increases the pressure drop across the inlet system, leading to a decrease in the efficiency of the compressor of the turbomachine. Furthermore, the filters eventually need to be replaced, which can not occur while the turbomachine is operating.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a system and method of removing the foreign objects within the airstream entering the inlet system of the turbomachine. The system and method should provide a filter system that may be cleaned while the turbomachine operates. The system and method should reduce the pressure drop associated with a filter that becomes dirty or clogged with foreign objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, a filter system for an inlet system of a turbomachine, the system comprising: a turbomachine comprising an inlet system for receiving and channeling an airstream towards a compressor of the turbomachine; wherein the inlet system comprises: a weather hood and an inlet filter section; and an electrostatic system configured for removing foreign objects from the airstream, wherein the electrostatic system charges conductive or partially conductive foreign objects within an airstream flowing within the inlet system, wherein the electrostatic system comprises: at least one collecting section for collecting the foreign objects, wherein the at least one collection section creates an electric field between at least one plate set, wherein the at least one plate set comprises a charged plate and a grounded plate.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method of filter an airstream entering an inlet section of a turbomachine, the method comprising: providing a turbomachine, wherein the turbomachine comprises an inlet system for receiving and channeling an airstream towards a compressor of the turbomachine; wherein the inlet system comprises: a weather hood and an inlet filter section, utilizing an electrostatic system configured for removing foreign objects from the airstream, wherein the electrostatic system performs the steps of: utilizing an electrostatic system configured for removing foreign objects from the airstream, wherein the electrostatic system charges conductive or partially conductive foreign objects within an airstream flowing within the inlet system, wherein the electrostatic system comprises: at least one collecting section for collecting the foreign objects, wherein the at least one collection section creates an electric field between at least one plate set, wherein the at least one plate set comprises a charged plate and a grounded plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Certain technology is used herein for the convenience of the reader only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the scope of the invention. For example, words such as “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “upstream”, “downstream”, “fore”, “aft”, and the like; merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the element or elements of an embodiment of the present invention may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for removing foreign objects from the airstream entering an inlet system of a turbomachine. This system may include an electrostatic system that may be configured to charge conductive, or partially conductive foreign objects that are in the airstream flowing through the system. This system may create an electric field to draw the charged foreign objects, allowing for a collecting section to remove the charged foreign objects from the airstream.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic accumulation system for collecting the foreign objects removed from the airstream. An embodiment of the present invention may provide an automatic cleaning system for cleaning components of the collecting section.

Referring now to the Figures, where the various numbers represent like elements throughout the several views,FIG. 1is a schematic illustrating an environment where an embodiment of the present invention may operate.FIG. 1illustrates an inlet system100that is typically integrated with a compressor145of a turbomachine (not illustrated). The following description provides an overview of a typically configuration of an inlet system100; the present invention may be used with other configurations of the inlet system100, which are not illustrated in the Figures.

The inlet system100channels the airstream drawn in by the compressor145. The airstream usually comes from the environment in which the turbomachine operates. Initially, the airstream flows around a weather hood105, which may prevent weather elements, such as rain, snow, etc, from entering the compressor145. The airstream may then flow through an inlet filter section110; which generally removes some foreign objects from the airstream. Next, the airstream may flow through a transition piece120and an inlet duct125; these components may adjust the velocity and pressure of the airstream. Next, the airstream may flow through a silencer section130. Next, the airstream may flow through an inlet bleed heat system135, which generally increases the airstream temperature prior to entering the compressor145. A trash screen140, or the like, may be located downstream of the inlet duct125and generally serves to prevent debris from entering the compressor145.

FIGS. 2A and 2B, collectivelyFIG. 2, is a schematic illustrating an electrostatic filtration system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2Aillustrates a side view of the inlet system100, illustrated inFIG. 1, with an embodiment of the present invention installed therein.FIG. 2Billustrates a top view of the inlet system100, illustrated inFIG. 1, with an embodiment of the present invention installed therein. In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrostatic system150may be used in conjunction with a inlet filter section110, which comprises a plurality of static filters.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide an electrostatic system150configured for removing a portion of the foreign objects within the airstream. An embodiment of the electrostatic system150may comprise a multi-stage electrostatic precipitator system. Generally, an electrostatic precipitator system may be considered a system that removes foreign objects from a flowing fluid (such as an airstream) using the force of an induced electrostatic charge. An electrostatic precipitator system may be considered a highly efficient filtration system that minimally impedes the flow of the fluid, while removing particulate matter such as foreign objects from the airstream.

The electrostatic system150may be integrated with the aforementioned components of the inlet system100. An embodiment of the electrostatic system150may comprise at least one charging section155, at least one collecting section160, an accumulator165, and a cleaning system170. The at least one charging section155may charge conductive or partially conductive particles within the airstream flowing within the inlet system100. The charge may comprise a positive charge or a negative charge. The at least one collection section160may create an electric field between alternately negatively charged and grounded plates163, which may then drive the charges particles to a surface of the plates163, allowing for the at least one collection section160to capture the charged particles.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the electrostatic system150may allow for enhanced filtration be only utilizing the at least one collection section160. Here, the least one charging section155may not be required and may be a component of the electrostatic system150.

An embodiment of the at least one charging section155may comprise the form of a plurality of ionizing wires. These wires may be affixed to a surface on the weather hood105. Here, the surface may be positioned to allow for the airstream to engage the at least one charging section155. Other embodiments of the at least one charging section155may comprise a form other than the plurality of ionizing wires. For example, but not limiting of, the at least one charging section may comprise a plurality of objects that provide an acute direction change, such as, but not limiting of, an end of a pin, a metal brush, a bar with a plurality of nails attached, or the like.

The at least one collecting section160may be configured to remove the charged foreign objects from the airstream. The at least one collecting section160may have the form of at least one plate set163comprising at least two plates. Here, a grounded plate163and a charged plate163may create an electric field to drive the particles to the plates163. The plates163may be installed downstream of the at least one charging section155. The plates163may be orientated parallel to the flow of the airstream. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the at least one collecting section160may be located upstream of the at least one charging section155.

The at least one collecting section160may utilize a cascading method of collecting areas of the at least one plate set163. This method may include energizing and de-energizing the electric field supply to the at least one collection section16. The cascading method may provide an efficient way for the foreign objects to move towards the accumulator165for removal.

An embodiment of the electrostatic system150may comprises an accumulator165for collecting the foreign objects removed from the airstream. The accumulator165may have the form of, for example, but not limiting of, a storage container, or the like. The accumulator165may be integrated with the at least one collecting section160allowing for the foreign objects to fall or be driven into an opening of the accumulator165. In an embodiment of the present invention, the accumulator165may automatically receive the foreign objects from the at least one collecting section160. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the accumulator165may require manual operation for receiving the foreign objects. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the charged foreign objects may be driven into the accumulator165via a washing method, or the like.

An embodiment of the electrostatic system150may comprise a cleaning system170configured for cleaning the at least one collecting section160. The cleaning system170may comprises a module175and a cleaning fluid180. During the operation of the electrostatic system150, some of the foreign objects may stick to the surface of the at least one plate set163. This may decrease the effectiveness of the electrostatic system150. The cleaning system170may utilize the cleaning fluid180, such as, but not limiting of, water, detergent, or the like, to remove the foreign objects from the at least one plate163. In an embodiment of the present invention, the module175, may automatically determine when the at least one plate set163requires cleaning. Here, the cleaning system170may automatically operate to clean the at least one plate163. In an embodiment of the present invention, an operator may manually operate the cleaning system170.

In use, the airstream may flow past the weather hood105where the at least one charging section155imparts a charge thereon. Here, the charge may be a positive charge or a negative charge. Next, the airstream may flow downstream to the at least one collecting section160. Next, the at least one plate set163, may impart a force on the foreign objects by the application of an electric field. Next, the cascading method may vary the location of the location of the electric field on the at least one plate set163from top to bottom. This may draw the foreign object into the accumulator165. The cleaning system170may operate as described. Here, the module175, may detect when the at least one plate set163requires cleaning. Then the cleaning system170may utilize the cleaning fluid180to clean the at least one plate set163, as described. These processes may occur while the turbomachine is in operation.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to limit the invention to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.