Turbomachine combustor having an externally fueled late lean injection (lli) system

Abstract

A turbomachine combustor assembly includes a combustor including a combustor body extending from a head end to a second end through a combustion zone. At least one injector is configured and disposed to introduce a first combustible fluid into the combustion zone at the head end of the combustor body. At least one late lean injector (LLI) is configured and disposed to introduce a second combustible fluid downstream of the first combustible fluid. An external fluid delivery system is fluidically connected to the at least one LLI. The external fluid delivery system includes at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit that extends from a first end fluidically connected to the LLI to a second end external to the turbomachine combustor assembly. The second end is configured and disposed to deliver the second combustible mixture to the LLI.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A turbomachine combustor assembly comprising:
 a combustor including a combustor body extending from a head end to a second end through a combustion zone;   at least one injector configured and disposed to introduce a first combustible fluid into the combustion zone at the head end of the combustor body;   at least one late lean injector (LLI) configured and disposed to introduce a second combustible fluid downstream of the first combustible fluid; and   an external fluid delivery system fluidically connected to the at least one LLI, the external fluid delivery system including at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit that extends from a first end fluidically connected to the LLI to a second end external to the turbomachine combustor assembly, the second end being configured and disposed to deliver the second combustible fluid to the LLI.   
     
     
         2 . The turbomachine combustor assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a fuel supply conduit extending from a first end portion fluidically connected to the second end of the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the second end portion being fluidically connected to an external supply of combustible fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The turbomachine combustor assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising: a valve arranged in the intermediate portion of the fuel supply conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The turbomachine combustor assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising: a non-combustible fluid supply conduit extending from a first end portion fluidically connected to the second end of the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the second end portion being fluidically connected to a supply of non-combustible fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The turbomachine combustor assembly according to  claim 4 , further comprising: a valve arranged in the intermediate portion of the non-combustible fluid supply conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The turbomachine combustor assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the second end portion of the non-combustible fluid supply conduit is fluidically connected to a compressor discharge casing. 
     
     
         7 . The turbomachine combustor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit includes a first combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a first LLI, a second combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a second LLI, and a third combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a third LLI, each of the first, second, and third combustible fluid delivery conduits being fluidically connected to a junction member. 
     
     
         8 . A turbomachine comprising:
 a compressor portion;   a turbine portion operatively linked to the compressor portion; and   a combustor assembly fluidically connected to the compressor portion and the turbine portion, the combustor assembly comprising:
 a combustor including a combustor body extending from a head end to a second end through a combustion zone; 
 at least one injector configured and disposed to introduce a first combustible fluid into the combustion zone at the head end of the combustor body; 
 at least one late lean injector (LLI) configured and disposed to introduce a second combustible fluid downstream of the first combustible fluid; and 
 an external fluid delivery system fluidically connected to the at least one LLI, the external fluid delivery system including at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit that extends from a first end fluidically connected to the LLI to a second end external to the turbomachine combustor assembly, the second end being configured and disposed to deliver the second combustible fluid to the LLI. 
   
     
     
         9 . The turbomachine according to  claim 8 , further comprising: a fuel supply conduit extending from a first end portion fluidically connected to the second end of the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the second end portion being fluidically connected to an external supply of combustible fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The turbomachine according to  claim 9 , further comprising: a valve arranged in the intermediate portion of the fuel supply conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The turbomachine according to  claim 9 , further comprising: a non-combustible fluid supply conduit extending from a first end portion fluidically connected to the second end of the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the second end portion being fluidically connected to a supply of non-combustible fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The turbomachine according to  claim 11 , further comprising: a valve arranged in the intermediate portion of the non-combustible fluid supply conduit. 
     
     
         13 . The turbomachine according to  claim 11 , wherein the second end portion of the non-combustible fluid supply conduit is fluidically connected to a compressor discharge casing. 
     
     
         14 . The turbomachine according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit includes a first combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a first LLI, a second combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a second LLI, and a third combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a third LLI, each of the first, second, and third combustible fluid delivery conduits being fluidically connected to a junction member. 
     
     
         15 . A turbomachine system comprising:
 a compressor portion;   a turbine portion operatively connected to the compressor portion;   a mechanical load drivingly connected to one of the compressor portion and the turbine portion;   an intake system fluidically connected to the compressor portion, the intake system being configured and disposed to condition fluid entering an inlet of the compressor portion; and   a combustor assembly fluidically connected to the compressor portion and the turbine portion, the combustor assembly comprising:
 a combustor including a combustor body extending from a head end to a second end through a combustion zone; 
 at least one injector configured an disposed to introduce a first combustible fluid into the combustion zone at the head end of the combustor body; 
 at least one late lean injector (LLI) configured and disposed to introduce a second combustible fluid downstream of the first combustible fluid; and 
 an external fluid delivery system fluidically connected to the at least one LLI, the external fluid delivery system including at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit that extends from a first end fluidically connected to the LLI to a second end external to the turbomachine combustor assembly, the second end being configured and disposed to deliver the second combustible fluid to the LLI. 
   
     
     
         16 . The turbomachine system to  claim 15 , further comprising: a fuel supply conduit extending from a first end portion fluidically connected to the second end of the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the second end portion being fluidically connected to an external supply of combustible fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The turbomachine system to  claim 16 , further comprising: a valve arranged in the intermediate portion of the fuel supply conduit. 
     
     
         18 . The turbomachine system according to  claim 15 , further comprising: a non-combustible fluid supply conduit extending from a first end portion fluidically connected to the second end of the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit to a second end portion through an intermediate portion, the second end portion being fluidically connected to a supply of non-combustible fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The turbomachine system according to  claim 18 , further comprising: a valve arranged in the intermediate portion of the non-combustible fluid supply conduit. 
     
     
         20 . The turbomachine system according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one combustible fluid delivery conduit includes a first combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a first LLI, a second combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a second LLI, and a third combustible fluid delivery conduit fluidically connected to a third LLI, each of the first, second, and third combustible fluid delivery conduits being fluidically connected to a junction member.