Linköping University

TMMV12
Dept. of Management and Engineering (IEI)
Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Examination in:
Gas Turbine Engines (TMMV12)

Solutions for TMMV12 Examination Jan. 07, 2016

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Linköping University
TMMV12
Dept. of Management and Engineering (IEI)
Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Questions

1. Modern passenger aircraft’s should be quiet, more efficient and comfortable. To reach that
aim jet engines must be improved continuously. For this reason it is of out most importance to
understand where emissions come from and how the efficiency of a jet engine can be improved.
(a) The gas turbine cycle is the base and often starting point for optimizations. Name three
differences between a real gas turbine cycle and an ideal cycle. In addition explain shortly
which assumption is made for the gas flowing through the gas turbine if the process is
assumed as ideal. Does this assumption change when assuming a real cycle? See book
chapter 8.4.1 and 8.4.1.2 (4P)
(b) A high pressure ratio (π) is desired when designing a gas turbine. Explain, using text
and figures, how the isentropic efficiency changes with increasing pressure ratio in a real
compressor and turbine. See lecture: ”Power Cycle” (4P)
(c) SFC and TSFC are two efficiency parameters used in the gas turbine industry. How
are they defined and for which applications are they normally used? See book chapter
2.4.6 (2P)
(d) The noise pattern a jet engine produce depends on the type of jet engine. Show, using
figure 1, the extent of noise a fan, turbine, and exhaust jet produce in relation to each
other during take off. Explain shortly why turbo fan engines are in total often more quiet
than a turbo jet engine.See book chapter 11.6.1 (6P)

Figure 1: Noise emissions of different jet engine parts in a turbojet and turbofan.

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Linköping University
TMMV12
Dept. of Management and Engineering (IEI)
Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

2. The high temperatures in a gas turbine are to all time a challenge for engineers. A basic
understanding of efficient cooling, the properties of the used material, and the problems which
can occur due to high temperatures are basic knowledge for every gas turbine designer.

(a) Many hot parts like the combustion chamber have to be cooled in a gas turbine. Name
two different types of cooling systems used in combustion chambers and explain shortly
how they differ from each other. See lecture: ”Combustion” (4P)
(b) To ensure a high turbine efficiency and low losses, the amount of cooling air at the
turbine blades have to be dimensioned correctly. Name three factors which influence the
film cooling efficiency. See lecture: ”Turbine Cooling” (3P)
(c) Cooling air for the turbine blades is often taken from the rear part of the compressor.
Name two reasons why cooling air is taken from exactly that point of the engine. Motivate
shortly your answer. See lecture: ”Turbine Cooling” (2P)
(d) Compressor and turbine blades look superficially quite equal but are manufactured in
different ways. Which method is commonly used to manufacture turbine blades? Motivate
shortly your answer.See lecture: ”Material and Structure” (2P)
(e) Fatigue is always a serious problem in gas turbines. Name two effects on which thermal
mechanical fatigue (TMF) is based. In addition explain shortly when TMF commonly
occurs and why this type of fatigue in modern gas turbines is a growing problem? See
lecture: ”Material and Structure” (4P)

Figure 2: Gas turbine part manufacturer

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Linköping University
TMMV12
Dept. of Management and Engineering (IEI)
Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

3. The physical flow phenomena which you can observe at different gas turbine parts can be
quite similar. Hence similar design solutions to solve flow related problems are typical. For
this reason it is important for a gas turbine engineer to have a good overview about frequently
occurring flow problems at different parts of the engine and how it is possible to overcome
them.
(a) Figure 3a presents the inlet of the aircraft JAS 39 ”Gripen”. Explain shortly why the
designer decided to have a gap between the inside of the inlet and the wall of the fuselage?
If that gap would not exist what possible consequences would that have for the jet engine?
See lecture: ”Inlet and Nozzle” (3P)
(b) The total pressure recovery measured in the inlet of a jet engine inlet is directly effecting
the thrust and fuel consumption. How is the total pressure recovery defined and in
addition name at least two effects which can influence this parameter. See lecture:
”Inlet and Nozzle Design” (3P)
(c) A Compressor and turbine are quite similar in their basic functions, however there are
clear design differences. Show, by completing table 1, the differences for the listed design
characteristics. Motivate shortly your answer in the field called: ”Explanation”. See
lecture: ”Turbo-Machinery” (5P)
(d) One advantage with stationary gas turbines is that they are easy to adapt to different
types of fuel. Name four different fuels which are typical used in industrial gas turbines.
See lecture: ”Combustion” (4P)
(e) Figure 3b presents an industrial gas turbine with an additional free power turbine. The
link between the both turbines is the throat (marked red). Explain shortly which conse-
quences follows from an increased throat area?See lecture: ”Industrial Gas Turbine
Performance” (5P)

(a) Gripen jet engine inlet (b) Two shaft industrial gas turbine

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Linköping University
TMMV12
Dept. of Management and Engineering (IEI)
Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

Design characteristics Compressor Turbine Explanation

Blade profile
Blade to blade passage shape
Flow velocity
Number of stages
Deflection Angle
thin thick Comp. thin because minimizing
shock waves / Turb. thick be-
cause high curvature
diffuser nozzle Comp. decelerated flow increase
pressure / Turb. accelerated flow
needed for energy extraction in
rotor
decelerating accelerating Comp. decelerated flow increase
pressure / Turb. accelerated flow
needed for energy extraction in
rotor
high low Comp. high because high stall
risk, Turb. low because higher
energy extraction per stage pos-
sible
low high Comp. low because high stall
risk, Turb. high because more
energy extraction per stage

Table 1: Compressor and turbine comparison