Apparatus and method for modifying a combustor nozzle

Abstract

A combustor nozzle includes a nozzle body that defines a cavity. An orifice in the nozzle body provides fluid communication from the cavity through the nozzle body. A movable barrier proximate to the orifice has a first position in which the movable barrier at least partially obstructs the orifice. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing fuel through an orifice in a nozzle, determining a reactivity of the fuel, and adjusting an effective cross sectional area of the orifice based on the reactivity of the fuel.

1 . A combustor nozzle comprising:
 a. a nozzle body, wherein the nozzle body defines a cavity;   b. an orifice in the nozzle body, wherein the orifice provides fluid communication from the cavity through the nozzle body; and   c. a movable barrier proximate to the orifice, wherein the movable barrier has a first position in which the movable barrier at least partially obstructs the orifice.   
     
     
         2 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for moving the movable barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 1 , wherein the movable barrier is inside the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 1 , wherein the movable barrier reduces an effective cross sectional area of the orifice in the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 1 , wherein the movable barrier has a second position in which the movable barrier increases an effective cross sectional area of the orifice. 
     
     
         6 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of orifices in the nozzle body and a plurality of movable barriers proximate to the plurality of orifices, wherein the plurality of movable barriers have a first position that at least partially obstructs the plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         7 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 1 , further comprising a hub inside the cavity, wherein the barrier is connected to the hub. 
     
     
         8 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 7 , wherein the movable barrier is in threaded engagement with the hub. 
     
     
         9 . A combustor nozzle comprising:
 a. a nozzle body, wherein the nozzle body defines a cavity;   b. an orifice in the nozzle body, wherein the orifice provides fluid communication from the cavity through the nozzle body; and   c. a removable insert in the orifice, wherein the removable insert reduces effective cross sectional area of the orifice.   
     
     
         10 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 9 , wherein the removable insert as in threaded engagement with the orifice. 
     
     
         11 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 9 , wherein the removable insert is press fit into the orifice. 
     
     
         12 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 9 , wherein the removable insert has a grooved internal surface. 
     
     
         13 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 9 , wherein the removable insert has an internal surface and further comprising turbulators on the internal surface. 
     
     
         14 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of orifices in the nozzle body, wherein each of the plurality of orifices provides fluid communication from the cavity through the nozzle body. 
     
     
         15 . The combustor nozzle as in  claim 14 , further comprising the removable insert in each of the plurality of orifices, wherein each removable insert reduces an effective cross sectional area of the orifice therein. 
     
     
         16 . A method for supplying fuel to a combustor comprising:
 a. flowing fuel through an orifice in a nozzle;   b. determining a reactivity of the fuel;   c. adjusting an effective cross sectional area of the orifice based on the reactivity of the fuel.   
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising reducing the effective cross sectional area of the orifice. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising installing an insert into the orifice. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising removing an insert from the orifice. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising flowing fuel through a plurality of orifices in the nozzle and adjusting an effective cross sectional area of the plurality of orifices based on the reactivity of the fuel.