National University of Technology (NUTECH)

Islamabad
Department of Mechanical Engineering Department
____________________________________________________________________________

Practical 7
Determination of Compression Ratio and Brayton Cycle Efficiency of Axial Flow
Gas turbine

Objective:

 To analyze the effect of high compression ratio on cycle efficiency

 Introduction to Brayton Cycle and Efficiency Calculation
Theory
The function of a compressor is the generation of compressed air from an atmospheric
air supply. The compression ratio is the relationship between the compressor outlet
absolute pressure and the atmospheric absolute pressure.
Compression ratio = compressor outlet absolute pressure / atmospheric absolute
Pressure
= SP-2 / Patm
The Brayton cycle is a thermodynamic cycle named after George Brayton that
describes the workings of a constant-pressure heat engine. The original Brayton
engines used a piston compressor and piston expander, but more modern gas turbine
engines and air breathing jet engines also follow the Brayton cycle. Although the cycle
is usually run as an open system (and indeed must be run as such if internal
combustion is used), it is conventionally assumed for the purposes of thermodynamic
analysis that the exhaust gases are reused in the intake, enabling analysis as a closed
system.
Gas turbines are also Brayton engines. This also has three components: a gas
compressor, a burner (or combustion chamber), and an expansion turbine.
Isentropic process – ambient air is drawn into the compressor, where it is
pressurized.
Isobaric process – the compressed air then runs through a combustion chamber,
where fuel is burned, heating that air—a constant-pressure process, since the
chamber is open to flow in and out.
Isentropic process – the heated, pressurized air then gives up its energy, expanding
through a turbine (or series of turbines). Some of the work extracted by the turbine is
used to drive the compressor.
Isobaric process – heat rejection (in the atmosphere).

____________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Usama Khan/Engr. Qaiser Bashir Thermodynamics-II Lab
 National University of Technology (NUTECH)
Islamabad
Department of Mechanical Engineering Department
____________________________________________________________________________

Figure: T-s diagram of Brayton Cycle

η = Wnet / qin
Wnet = Wtur,out – Wcomp,in
Wtur,out = h3 – h4
Wcomp = h2 – h1
qin = h3 – h2

PROCEDURE:

1. Start the SCADA TGFAC software.

2. Run the software and configure the data saving (“SAVE DATA” button). Select a
directory and a name for the data file and select a period of one datum per second.
3. Once the data logging starts, the starting procedure takes place.
4. When the turbine is started and it is under “RUNIDLE” state, increase the power
step by step till reaching 100%. The turbine state will change to “RUNMAX”.
5. Wait 10 seconds to the maximum power.
6. Carry out power changes to get familiar with the operation of the turbine.
7. Reduce power little by little till reaching the idle speed (20%).
8. Wait 10 seconds.
9. Stop the turbine and wait till it is cooled down.
10. Once cold, stop the data collection by clicking on “STOP SAVING”.

Observations and Calculations:

____________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Usama Khan/Engr. Qaiser Bashir Thermodynamics-II Lab
 National University of Technology (NUTECH)
Islamabad
Department of Mechanical Engineering Department
____________________________________________________________________________

Combusti
Inlet Comp. Exhaust
Outlet on Cycle
Se Comp. Air outlet Gasses
Power Comp. chamber Efficiency
r. Ratio Temp. Temp. Temp.
Pressure Temp. η

SP-2 ST-1 ST-2 ST-3 ST-4

% %
(kpa) (K) (K) (K) (K)
1. 20 16.51 1.16 279.6 334.9 1051.2 702 41%
2. 30 22.29 1.21 287.3 339.4 1081.8 697.1 45%
3. 40 32.52 1.32 301.5 345.3 1091 710 45.2%
4. 51 47.21 1.46 321.4 357.4 1094.1 686 50.5%
5. 61 65.05 1.64 346 372.5 1096 694 52%
6. 70 87.84 1.86 376.8 392.9 1098.7 711.6 52.5%

Turbine power vs compression ratio & cycle efficiency

Compression ratio & cycle efficiency %

57
54 52 52.5
50.5
51
48 45 45.2
45
4241
39
36
33
30
27
24
21
18
15
12
9
6
1.16
3 1.1 1.32 1.46 1.64 1.86
0
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70

Turbine power %

compression ratio cycle efficiency

Analysis/Discussion:
____________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Usama Khan/Engr. Qaiser Bashir Thermodynamics-II Lab
 National University of Technology (NUTECH)
Islamabad
Department of Mechanical Engineering Department
____________________________________________________________________________

 We analyze the cycle efficiency of Brayton cycle by total work net produced by
turbine to the heat enter in the combustion chamber that more the compression
ratio at compressor outlet more the power will turbine produce.
 The temperature at inlet increase when power increases it rises the work of
turbine for maximize thermal efficiency hence it operate on high temperature/
pressure for maximum power output.
 Cycle efficiency can be increased by improving the work net produced by
turbine
 Although the cycle is usually run as an open system but if that the exhaust
gases are reused in the intake the thermodynamic efficiency of system will be
improved.

Precautions:

 Maintain 5feet distance from the apparatus.

 Clear back environment minimum 10 feet.
 Start the turbine with gradually increase power.
 Wear the headset in order to avoid noise.
 Wait 20 sec for going to calculate next power
 Don’t turn off the system too quickly take some time to turn it off.

Comments:
Axial flow turbine are used for high work factor with lower fuel consumption and
reduce the noise from turbine. One way to produce more net work by increasing
compression and more combustion will produce at the chamber and power produced
at the end of exhaust.

____________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Usama Khan/Engr. Qaiser Bashir Thermodynamics-II Lab