Systems And Methods For Cooling Heated Components In A Turbine

Abstract

Systems and methods for cooling heated components in a turbine are provided. According to one embodiment, a system for cooling a turbine is provided that may include at least one liquid source which may include a coolant liquid. The system may also include at least one liquid nozzle in fluid communication with the liquid source or sources and operable to deliver the coolant liquid in an atomized form adjacent to at least one heated turbine component positioned in a hot gas path of the turbine. Upon delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to the heated turbine component or components, at least a portion of the coolant liquid substantially changes phase to a gas.

1 . A system for cooling heated components in a hot gas path of a turbine, comprising:
 at least one liquid source comprising coolant liquid; and   at least one liquid nozzle in fluid communication with the at least one liquid source and operable to deliver the coolant liquid in an atomized form adjacent to at least one heated turbine component positioned in a hot gas path of the turbine;   wherein upon delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to the at least one heated turbine component, at least a portion of the coolant liquid substantially changes phase to a gas.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprises at least one pump for pressurizing the coolant liquid from the at least one liquid source. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pipe system coupling the at least one liquid source and the at least one liquid nozzle. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the pipe system comprises a thermal insulation. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant liquid comprises water. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heated turbine component comprises at least one of a turbine bucket, a turbine wheel, a turbine nozzle, or a turbine shroud. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heated turbine component comprises a turbine bucket comprising a first side and a second side creating an inner space therein and comprising a plurality of orifices extending through at least one of the first side or the second side, and wherein upon delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to the turbine bucket, at least a part of the gas passes through the inner space and exits out of the inner space to the hot gas path through at least a portion of the plurality of orifices. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a purging unit to purge an excess amount of the coolant liquid from the hot gas path. 
   
   
       9 . A method for cooling heated components in a hot gas path of a turbine, comprising:
 providing at least one liquid source comprising a coolant liquid in fluid communication with at least one liquid nozzle, wherein the at least one liquid nozzle is positioned adjacent to at least one heated turbine component positioned in a hot gas path of the turbine;   atomizing the coolant liquid from the at least one liquid source; and   delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to the at least one heated turbine component;   wherein upon delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to the at least one heated turbine component, at least a portion of the coolant liquid substantially changes phase to a gas.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising pressurizing the coolant liquid from the at least one liquid source by at least one pump. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the coolant liquid comprises water. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising insulating the liquid prior to delivering the coolant liquid adjacent to the at least one heated turbine component. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one heated turbine component comprises at least one of a turbine bucket, a turbine wheel, a turbine nozzle, or a turbine shroud. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one heated turbine component comprises a turbine bucket comprising a first side and a second side creating an inner space therein and comprising a plurality of orifices extending through at least one of the first side or the second side, and wherein upon delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to the turbine bucket, at least a part of the gas passes through the inner space and exits out of the inner space to the hot gas path through at least a portion of the plurality of orifices. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising purging excess liquid from the hot gas path subsequent to reducing the turbine speed below load. 
   
   
       16 . A method for operating a turbine, comprising:
 starting the turbine;   increasing the turbine speed to operate at a predetermined load;   atomizing a coolant liquid;   delivering the atomized coolant liquid adjacent to at least one heated turbine component positioned in a hot gas path of the turbine subsequent to increasing the turbine speed to operate at the predetermined load, wherein upon delivering the atomized coolant liquid, at least a portion of the coolant liquid substantially changes phase to a gas;   reducing the turbine speed to operate below the predetermined load; and   purging excess liquid from the hot gas path subsequent to reducing the turbine speed below the predetermined load.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the coolant liquid comprises water. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one heated turbine component comprises at least one of a turbine bucket, a turbine wheel, a turbine nozzle, or a turbine shroud. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein purging excess liquid from the hot gas path is performed prior to a next start-up of the turbine. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein purging excess liquid from the hot gas path is performed upon a shut-down of the turbine.