Gas turbines

The gas turbine is an internal combustion (IC) engine employing a continuous combustion
process. It has three main parts:
 Compressor - Compresses the incoming air to high pressure
 Combustion area - Burns the fuel and produces high-pressure, high -temperature
combustion gases.
 Turbine - Extracts the energy from the high-pressure, high -temperature gas flowing from
the combustion chamber and produce useful mechanical work.

Open and closed gas turbine cycle: In the open cycle, fresh air at ambient conditions is drawn
into the compressor, where its temperature and pressure are raised. The high pressure air
proceeds into the combustion chamber, where the fuel is burned at constant pressure. The
resulting high-temperature gases then enter the turbine, where they expand to the atmospheric
pressure while producing power. In the closed cycle, compression and expansion processes
remain the same, but the combustion process is replaced by a constant-pressure heat-addition
process from an external source, and the exhaust process is replaced by a constant pressure
heat-rejection process to the ambient air.

Applications of gas turbine engine:

The two major application areas of gas-turbine engines are aircraft propulsion and electric
power generation. When it is used for aircraft propulsion, the gas turbine produces just enough
power to drive the compressor and a small generator to power the auxiliary equipment. The
high-velocity exhaust gases are responsible for producing the necessary thrust to propel the
aircraft. Gas turbines are also used as stationary power plants to generate electricity as stand-
alone units or in conjunction with steam power plants on the high-temperature side. In these
plants, the exhaust gases of the gas turbine serve as the heat source for the steam. The gas-
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turbine cycle can also be executed as a closed cycle for use in nuclear power plants. This time
the working fluid is not limited to air, and a gas with more desirable characteristics (such as
helium) can be used.

1.3 Advantages and Disadvantages Of The Gas Turbine

Advantages:
1. It is capable of producing large amount of useful power for a small size and weight.
2. it has quick starting time ,it can be brought up to full –load (peak out put)condition in
minutes compared to a steam turbine plant whose start up time is measured in hours.
3. A wide variety of fuels can be utilized. Natural gas is commonly used in land based gas
turbine.
4. Less installation cost.
5. The usual working fluid is atmospheric air .As basic power supply ,the gas turbine requires
no coolant (e.g.. water)
Disadvantages:
1. It has lower thermal efficiency compared with other types of engines. This problem can
be solved using advanced cycles techniques like reheating, regeneration, or inter cooling.
Beside that, the combined cycle has the ultimate thermal efficiency.
2. Because they spin at high speeds and because of the high operating temperatures,
designing and manufacturing as well as the maintenance of gas turbines is a tough
problem from both the engineering and materials standpoint
3. Gas turbines tend to use more fuel when they are idling, so they prefer a constant rather
than a fluctuating load.

Analysis of ideal gas turbine cycle:

The ideal cycle of the gas turbine (Joule-Brayton Cycle) is made up of four internally reversible
processes:
1-2 isentropic compression (in a compressor)
2-3 Constant-pressure heat addition (in the combustion chamber)
3-4 isentropic expansion (in a turbine)
4-1 Constant-pressure heat rejection (in the atmosphere)
Assuming air as a working fluid with constant properties, we can analyze the cycle using the
steady flow energy equation neglecting potential and kinetic terms.
m
 fuel
Qin  (h3  h2 )  Cpa (T3  T2 )  C.V *cc
m air
Qout  (h4  h1 )  Cpa (T4  T1 )
Wc  ( h2  h1 )  Cpa (T2  T1 )
Wt  (h3  h4 )  Cpa (T3  T4 )
for the isentropic compression and expansion we use the thermodynamic relations:

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 k 1 k 1
 T2   p2  k  T3   p3  k
     and     
 T1   p1   T4   p4 
given that p1  p4 and p2  p3 then
k 1
 T2   T3   p2  k k 1
          PR  k where PR is pressure ratio.
 T1   T4   p1 

The gas turbine thermal efficiency is:

Wnet 1
th  1 k 1
Qin
PR k
The gas turbine work ration (WR) is defined as the percent of net wok produced per turbine
work:
Wnet T k 1
WR   1  1  PR  k
Wturbine T3

Deviation of Actual Gas-Turbine Cycles from Idealized Ones:

The actual cycle deviate from the ideal cycle due to
some reasons:
1. pressure drop during the heat addition and
rejection process.
2. variation the working fluid across the
component .
3. variation of the mass flow rate across the
component.
4. the More importantly, the actual work input to the
compressor is more, and the actual work output
from the turbine is less because of
irreversibilities

ideal work h  h T T
c ,is   2s 1  2s 1
actual work h2 a  h1 T2 a  T1
actual work h3  h4 a T3  T4 a
t ,is   
ideal work h3  h4 s T3  T4 s

Development of Gas Turbines cycles: in order to optimize the gas turbine engine in terms of
the thermal efficiency and work ratio, several modification are made for the basic cycle
including:
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1. Increasing the turbine inlet (or firing) temperatures: this method is restricted by the high
quality metal alloys used for turbines blades. The turbine inlet temperatures have increased
steadily from about 540°C (1000°F) in the 1940s to 1425°C (2600°F) .

2. Increasing pressure ratio: it is found that for a given firing temperature ,there is an optimum
value for pressure ratio that gives maximum thermal efficiency. Typical pressure ratios are
ranged from 5-20.

3. regenerative gas turbine cycle: in this method the high-pressure air leaving the compressor
can be heated by transferring heat to it from the hot exhaust gases in a heat exchanger,
which is also known as a regenerator or a recuperator.

The performance of the heat exchanger (HX) affects the regeneration process. We use the
effectiveness (  ) to describe how efficient is the HX:

T5  T2

T4  T2
 T1 
 rp  k
k 1
For the air standard cycle, we can show that: th, reg  1  
 T3 

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4. gas turbine with inter cooling(multi compressor GT): In this cycle, method of inter-cooling
is added in the compression process. So ,the compression process is accomplished in two
stages (LP and HP). The aim of this technique is to decrease the compressor work.

FUEL
CC

4 5
AIR
LPC HPC T G

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1 2 3

5. Gas turbine with Reheating (multi turbines GT): In this cycle, two turbines are used. One
named high-pressure turbine and other named low-pressure turbine with extra heating between
the tow turbines. The aim of this connection is to produce extra power from the turbines

FUEL (f2) FUEL (f1)

CC1 CC2
2 4 5
3
AIR
C HPT LPT G

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1

HW/draw T-s diagram for last modified cycles.

Combined gas and steam turbine configuration(combined cycle):

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Ideal Jet-Propulsion Cycles:

EXAMPLE 1. The Simple Ideal Joule-Brayton Cycle

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An open cycle gas-turbine power plant operating on an ideal Brayton cycle has a pressure ratio
of 8. The air temperature is 27 o C at the compressor inlet (ambient temperature) and 1027 oC
at the turbine inlet (firing temperature). Determine (a) the gas temperature at the exits of the
compressor and the turbine, (b) the work ratio, and the thermal efficiency.

Process 1-2 (isentropic compression of an ideal gas):

 1 1.41
T2 T2
  PR     (8) 1.4  T2  543.43K
T1 ( 27  273)

Process 3-4 (isentropic expansion of an ideal gas):

 1 1.41
T3 1300
  PR     (8) 1.4  T4  717.66 K (note the high exhaust temperature)
T4 T4

Performance:
Wc  Cpa (T2  T1 )  1.005 * (543.43 - 300)  244.7kJ / kg

Wt  Cp a (T3  T4 )  1.005 * (1300  717.66)  585.3kJ / kg

Qin  Cp a (T3  T2 )  1.005 * (1300  543.43)  760.4kJ / kg

Wnet 1 1
 th  1 k 1
1 1.41
 44.79%
Qin
PR k 8 1.4
k 1 1.41
Wnet T 300
WR   1  1  PR  k  1  (8) 1.4  58.2%
Wturbine T3 1300

EXAMPLE 2. An Actual Gas-Turbine Cycle

For the last example, assuming a compressor isentropic efficiency of 80 percent and a turbine
isentropic efficiency of 85 percent. Determine (a) the gas temperature at the exits of the
compressor and the turbine, (b) the work ratio, and the thermal efficiency.
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Process 1-2 :
 1 1.41
T2 s T2 s
  PR     (8) 1.4  T2 s  543.43K
T1 (27  273)
ideal work h  h1 T2 s  T1 543.43  300
 c ,is  0.8   2s    T2 a  604.29 K
actual work h2 a  h1 T2 a  T1 T2 a  300
Process 3-4
 1 1.41
T3 1300
  PR     (8) 1.4  T4 s  717.66 K
T4 s T4 s
actual work h3  h4 a T3  T4 a 1300  T4 a
t ,is  0.85      T4 a  805.011K
ideal work h3  h4 s T3  T4 s 1300  717.66

Performance:
Wc ,is  Cp a (T2 s  T1 )  1.005 * (543.43 - 300)  244.7 kJ / kg
Wc ,is 244.7
Wc ,a    305.88kJ / kg
 c ,is 0.8
Wt ,is  Cpa (T3  T4 s )  1.005 * (1300  717.66)  585.3kJ / kg
Wt ,a   t ,is * Wt ,is  0.85 * 585.3  497.5kJ / kg
Qin  Cpa (T3  T2 a )  1.005 * (1300  604.29)  699.3kJ / kg
W W  Wc.a 497.5  305.88
 th  net  t ,a   27.4%
Qin Qin 699.3
W 497.5  305.88
WR  net   38.52%
Wt ,a 497.5

EXAMPLE 3. Actual Gas-Turbine Cycle with Regeneration

Determine the thermal efficiency of the gas-turbine described in Example 2, if a regenerator
having an effectiveness of 80 percent is installed.

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 T5  T2 a T  604.29 K
  0.8  5  T5  764.86 K
T4 a  T2 a 805.011  604.29
Wc ,a  305.88kJ / kg

Wt ,a  497.5kJ / kg

Qin  Cpa (T3  T5 )  1.005 * (1300  764.86)  537.82kJ / kg

Wnet Wt ,a  Wc.a 497.5  305.88

 th     35.6%
Qin Qin 537.82

Wnet 497.5  305.88

WR    38.52% the same
Wt ,a 497.5

Example: Combined Cycle Power Plant.

Consider a combined gas–steam power cycle in which the gas-turbine cycle has a pressure ratio
of 8. The inlet temperatures to the compressor and turbine are 300 K and 1300 K respectively.
The isentropic efficiency of the compressor is 80 percent, and that of the gas turbine is 85
percent. The steam cycle is a simple ideal Rankine cycle operating between the pressure limits
of 7 MPa and 5 kPa for the boiler and condenser respectively. Steam is heated in a HRB by the
exhaust gases to a temperature of 500°C. The exhaust gases leave the heat exchanger at 450 K.

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Determine (a) the ratio of the mass flow rates of the steam and the combustion gases and (b) the
thermal efficiency of the combined cycle.(Neglect pump work)
Solution:
The gas turbine engine:

Process 1-2 :
 1 1.41
T2 s T2 s
  PR     (8) 1.4  T2 s  543.43K
T1 (27  273)
ideal work h  h1 T2 s  T1 543.43  300
 c ,is  0.8   2s    T2 a  604.29 K
actual work h2 a  h1 T2 a  T1 T2 a  300
 1 1.41
T3 1300
  PR     (8) 1.4  T4 s  717.66 K
T4 s T4 s
actual work h3  h4 a T3  T4 a 1300  T4 a
t ,is  0.85      T4 a  805.011K
ideal work h3  h4 s T3  T4 s 1300  717.66

Performance:
Wc ,is  Cp a (T2 s  T1 )  1.005 * (543.43 - 300)  244.7 kJ / kg
Wc ,is 244.7
Wc ,a    305.88kJ / kg
 c ,is 0.8
Wt ,is  Cpa (T3  T4 s )  1.005 * (1300  717.66)  585.3kJ / kg
Wt ,a   t ,is * Wt ,is  0.85 * 585.3  497.5kJ / kg
Qin  Cpa (T3  T2 a )  1.005 * (1300  604.29)  699.3kJ / kg
W W  Wc.a 497.5  305.88
 th  net  t ,a   27.4%
Qin Qin 699.3
W 497.5  305.88
WR  net   38.52%
Wt ,a 497.5
Steam Cycle

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h1  138kJ / kg

h2  138kJ / kg

h3  3411.kJ / kg m g ,T5' m g ,T4'

h4  2080kJ / kg
m s ,T2 m s ,T3
Wnet  1338kJ / kg

The combined cycle:

a-The ratio of mass flow rates is determined from an energy balance on the heat exchanger:

 s .(h3  h2 )  m
m  g .Cpa .(T4 '  T5' )
 s 1.005(805.011  450)
m
   0.109kg steam / kg gas
m
g (3411  138)

That is, 1 kg of exhaust gases can heat only 0.109 kg of steam from 33 to 500°C as they are
cooled from 805.011 to 450 K. Then the total net work output per kilogram of combustion
gases becomes:
m
s
Wnet ,total  Wnet ,GT  W  191.62  0.109 * (1338.)  337.5kJ / kg gas
 g net , ST
m
(b) The thermal efficiency of the combined cycle is determined from:
Wnet , total 337.5
 th    48.3%
Qin, GT 699.3

Problems
Q1/A simple Brayton cycle using air as the working fluid has a pressure ratio of 8. The
minimum and maximum temperatures in the cycle are 310 and 1160 K. Assuming an isentropic
efficiency of 75 percent for the compressor and 82 percent for the turbine, determine (a) the air
temperature at the turbine exit, (b) the net work output, and (c) the thermal efficiency.

Q2/Air is used as the working fluid in a simple ideal Brayton cycle that has a pressure ratio of
12, a compressor inlet temperature of 300 K, and a turbine inlet temperature of 1000 K.
Determine the required mass flow rate of air for a net power output of 70 MW, assuming both
the compressor and the turbine have an isentropic efficiency of (a) 100 percent and (b) 85
percent. Assume constant specific heats at room temperature.
Answers: (a) 352 kg/s, (b) 1037 kg/s.

Q3/A stationary gas-turbine power plant operates on a simple ideal Brayton cycle with air as
the working fluid. The air enters the compressor at 95 kPa and 290 K and the turbine at 760 kPa

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and 1100 K. Heat is transferred to air at a rate of 35000 kJ/s. determine the power delivered by
this plant assuming constant specific heats at room temperature.

Q4/Air enters the compressor of a gas-turbine engine at 300 K and 100 kPa, where it is
compressed to 700 kPa and 580 K. Heat is transferred to air in the amount of 950 kJ/kg before
it enters the turbine. For a turbine isentropic efficiency of 86 percent, determine (a) the fraction
of the turbine work output used to drive the compressor and (b) the thermal efficiency. Assume
constant specific heats for air and is.c  100%

Q5/A gas-turbine power plant operates on the simple Brayton cycle with air as the working
fluid and delivers 32 MW of power. The minimum and maximum temperatures in the cycle are
310 and 900 K, and the pressure of air at the compressor exit is 8 times the value at the
compressor inlet. Assuming an isentropic efficiency of 80 percent for the compressor and 86
percent for the turbine, determine the mass flow rate of air through the cycle.

Q6/A gas-turbine power plant operates on the simple Brayton cycle between the pressure limits
of 100 and 1200 kPa. The working fluid is air, which enters the compressor at 30°C at a rate of
150 m3/min and leaves the turbine at 500°C. Using constant specific heats for air and assuming
a compressor isentropic efficiency of 82 percent and a turbine isentropic efficiency of 88
percent, determine (a) the net power output, (b) the work ratio, and (c) the thermal efficiency.

Q7/An ideal Brayton cycle with regeneration has a pressure ratio of 10. Air enters the
compressor at 300 K and the turbine at 1200 K. If the effectiveness of the regenerator is 100
percent, determine the net work output and the thermal efficiency of the cycle.

Q8/A Brayton cycle with regeneration using air as the working fluid has a pressure ratio of 7.
The minimum and maximum temperatures in the cycle are 310 and 1150 K. Assuming an
isentropic efficiency of 75 percent for the compressor and82 percent for the turbine and an
effectiveness of 65 percent for the regenerator, determine (a) the air temperature at the turbine
exit, (b) the net work output, and (c) the thermal efficiency.
Answers: (a) 748 K, (b) 108.1 kJ/kg, (c) 22.5 percent

Q9/A stationary gas-turbine power plant operates on a regenerative Brayton cycle (  =100
percent) with air as the working fluid. Air enters the compressor at 95 kPa and 290 K and the

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turbine at 760 kPa and 1100 K. Heat is transferred to air from an external source at a rate of
75000 kJ/s. Determine the power delivered by this plant.

Q10/Air enters the compressor of a regenerative gas-turbine engine at 300 K and 100 kPa,
where it is compressed to 800 kPa and 580 K. The regenerator has an effectiveness of 72
percent, and the air enters the turbine at 1200 K. For a turbine efficiency of 86 percent,
determine (a) the amount of heat transfer in the regenerator and (b) the thermal efficiency.

Q11/ The gas-turbine portion of a combined gas–steam power plant has a pressure ratio of 16.
Air enters the compressor at 300 K at a rate of 14 kg/s and is heated to 1500 K in the
combustion chamber. The combustion gases leaving the gas turbine are used to heat the steam
to 400°C at 10 MPa in a heat exchanger. The combustion gases leave the heat exchanger at 420
K. The steam leaving the turbine is condensed at 15 kPa. Assuming all the compression and
expansion processes to be isentropic, determine (a) the mass flow rate of the steam, (b) the net
power output, and (c) the thermal efficiency of the combined cycle. For air, assume constant
specific heats at room temperature. Answers:(a) 1.275 kg/s, (b) 7819 kW, (c) 66.4 percent.

Q12//Consider a combined gas–steam power plant that has a net power output of 450 MW. The
pressure ratio of the gas-turbine cycle is 14. Air enters the compressor at 300 K and the turbine
at 1400 K. The combustion gases leaving the gas turbine are used to heat the steam at 8 MPa to
400°C in a heat exchanger. The combustion gases leave the heat exchanger at 460 K. An open
feedwater heater incorporated with the steam cycle operates at a pressure of 0.6 MPa. The
condenser pressure is 20 kPa. Assuming all the compression and expansion processes to be
isentropic, determine (a) the mass flow rate ratio of air to steam, (b) the required rate of heat
input in the combustion chamber, and (c) the thermal efficiency of the combined cycle.

Q13// Consider a combined gas–steam power cycle. The topping cycle is a simple Brayton
cycle that has a pressure ratio of 7. Air enters the compressor at 15°C at a rate of 10 kg/s and
the gas turbine at 950°C. The bottoming cycle is a reheat Rankine cycle between the pressure
limits of 6 MPa and 10 kPa. Steam is heated in a heat exchanger at a rate of 1.15 kg/s by the
exhaust gases leaving the gas turbine and the exhaust gases leave the heat exchanger at 200°C.
Steam leaves the high-pressure turbine at 1.0 MPa and is reheated to 400°C in the heat
exchanger before it expands in the lowpressure turbine. Assuming 80 percent isentropic
efficiency for all pumps and turbine, determine (a) the moisture content at the exit of the low-
pressure turbine, (b) the steam temperature at the inlet of the high-pressure turbine, (c) the net
power output and the thermal efficiency of the combined plant.

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