System and method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor

Abstract

A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle, a combustion chamber, and fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber. A combustor casing surrounds the combustion chamber. A distribution manifold encloses the fuel injectors, and a plenum passes through the combustor casing. A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid from a compressor through a combustion chamber, diverting a portion of the working fluid into a plenum, and flowing the diverted portion of the working fluid outside of the compressor and the combustor. The method further includes flowing the diverted portion of the working fluid through a combustor casing and through a distribution manifold that encloses fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor, comprising:
 a. a fuel nozzle;   b. a combustion chamber downstream from said fuel nozzle;   c. a plurality of fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around said combustion chamber downstream from said fuel nozzle;   d. a combustor casing that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of said combustion chamber;   e. a distribution manifold that encloses said plurality of fuel injectors; and   f. a plenum that passes through said combustor casing to provide fluid communication for a working fluid to flow to said distribution manifold.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said distribution manifold circumferentially surrounds said combustion chamber inside of said combustor casing. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said plenum comprises a plurality of branch lines in fluid communication with said distribution manifold. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said plenum separates into a plurality of branch lines after passing through said combustor casing. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said plenum includes an upstream portion configured to receive the working fluid from a compressor. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said plenum includes an upstream portion that passes through a compressor casing. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said plenum includes an upstream portion that passes through a compressor casing and at least a portion of said plenum extends outside of the combustor. 
     
     
         8 . A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor, comprising:
 a. a compressor;   b. a combustor downstream from said compressor, wherein said combustor comprises a combustion chamber and a plurality of fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around said combustion chamber;   c. a combustor casing that surrounds at least a portion of said combustor to contain a working fluid flowing from said compressor to said combustor;   d. a distribution manifold that encloses said plurality of fuel injectors; and   e. a plenum that passes through said combustor casing to provide fluid communication for a portion of the working fluid to flow to said distribution manifold.   
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein said distribution manifold circumferentially surrounds said combustion chamber inside said combustor casing. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein said plenum comprises a plurality of branch lines in fluid communication with said distribution manifold. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein said plenum separates into a plurality of branch lines after passing through said combustor casing. 
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein said plenum includes an upstream portion configured to receive the portion of the working fluid from said compressor. 
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein said plenum includes an upstream portion that passes through a compressor casing. 
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 8 , wherein said plenum includes an upstream portion that passes through a compressor casing and at least a portion of said plenum extends outside of said compressor and said combustor. 
     
     
         15 . A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor, comprising:
 a. flowing a working fluid from a compressor through a combustion chamber;   b. diverting a portion of the working fluid into a plenum;   c. flowing the diverted portion of the working fluid outside of the compressor and the combustor;   d. flowing the diverted portion of the working fluid through a combustor casing that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the combustion chamber; and   e. flowing the diverted portion of the working fluid through a distribution manifold that encloses a plurality of fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 15 , further comprising flowing the diverted portion of the working fluid circumferentially around the combustion chamber inside of the distribution manifold. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 15 , further comprising separating the diverted portion of the working fluid into a plurality of branch lines in fluid communication with the distribution manifold. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 15 , further comprising separating the diverted portion of the working fluid into a plurality of branch lines after passing through the combustor casing. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 15 , further comprising flowing the diverted portion of the working fluid through a compressor casing. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 15 , further comprising flowing the diverted portion of the working fluid through a compressor casing and outside of the combustor.