Intercooling and Recuperation

ICR technology promises significantly higher efficiencies , flatter fuel consumption curves and improved
power to weight ratios for gas turbine propulsion plants.
The system will initially be fitted to warships.
A 30 fuel saving over current simple cycle marine turbines is claimed. !ower manpower
re"uirement, enhanced reliability, reduced e#haust emissions and low airbourne noise are also pointed
out.
Components of proven reliability are used such as the RR R$%&& and Trent turbines.
An ICR cycle features the following process' Inta(e air compressed in a low pressure
compressor is cooled by re)ecting heat via an on*engine intercooler before entering the high pressure
compressor. This reduces the wor( re"uired to compress the air, improving +, spool efficiency and raising
net output power. Intercooling also serves to reduce the +, compressor discharge temperature which
increases the effectiveness of the recuperator. The recuperator preheats the combustion air by recovering
waster energy from the e#haust, thus improving the overall cycle efficiency. The result is reduced fuel
consumption over the whole power range.
!ow power efficiency is further improved by the use of the power turbines variable no--les.
These maintain a constant power turbine entry temperature which, in turn, maintains recuperator gas side
entry conditions and improves recuperator effectiveness as power reduced