U.O.

T
Mechanical Engineering Department / Power Plants Branch
Gas Turbines & Compressors
Chapter 2 / Gas Turbine Thermodynamic Cycles

Chapter Two / Gas Turbine Thermodynamic Cycles

2.1 Gas turbine cycle

Gas turbines usually operate on an open
gas turbine cycle, as shown in Fig. 2–1.
Fresh air at ambient conditions is drawn
into the compressor, where its temperature
and pressure are raised.
The high-pressure air enters the
combustion chamber, where the fuel is
injected and burned at constant pressure.
The resulting high-temperature gases then enter the turbine and expand to the atmospheric
pressure while producing power. The exhaust gases leaving the turbine are thrown out (not
recirculated), causing the cycle to be classified as an open cycle.
Gas turbine cycle is based on Brayton cycle which was first proposed by George Brayton for use
in the reciprocating oil-burning engine that he developed around 1870.
The open gas-turbine cycle described
above can be modelled as a closed cycle, as
shown in Fig. 2–2, by utilizing the air-
standard assumptions.
The 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.
For analysis the simple gas turbine cycle, the following assumptions are imposed;
(a) Compression and expansion processes are reversible and adiabatic, i.e. isentropic.
(b) Negligible change of kinetic energy across cycle components.
(c) No pressure losses across cycle components.
(d) The working fluid is a perfect gas with constant specific heats throughout the cycle components.
(e) Constant mass flow of gas throughout the cycle.

1-6 Ch.2
Prepared by A.A. Al-Hussaini 2020 / 2021
 U.O.T
Mechanical Engineering Department / Power Plants Branch
Gas Turbines & Compressors
Chapter 2 / Gas Turbine Thermodynamic Cycles

2.2 Simple Gas Turbine Cycle, SGTC:

The T-s diagram of simple gas turbine (Brayton) cycle is shown in Fig. 2.3. For unit mass flow, the
thermal efficiency is obtained as:
𝑤𝑐 = ℎ2 − ℎ1 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 ) … 2.1.
𝑞𝑖𝑛 = ℎ3 − ℎ2 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 ) … 2.2.
𝑤𝑡 = ℎ3 − ℎ4 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇4 ) … 2.3.
𝑞𝑜𝑢𝑡 = ℎ4 − ℎ1 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇4 − 𝑇1 ) … 2.4.
𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑤𝑡 − 𝑤𝑐 = 𝑞𝑖𝑛 − 𝑞𝑜𝑢𝑡 … 2.5.
𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇4 ) − 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 ) … 2.5.
𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑞𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝜂𝑡ℎ = =1− … 2.6.
𝑞𝑖𝑛 𝑞𝑖𝑛
𝑐𝑝 (𝑇4 − 𝑇1 ) 𝑇1 (𝑇4 ⁄𝑇1 − 1)
= 1− =1−
𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 ) 𝑇2 (𝑇3 ⁄𝑇2 − 1)
For isentropic process;
𝛾−1 𝛾−1
𝑇2 𝑝2 𝛾 𝛾−1 𝑇3 𝑝3 𝛾 𝛾−1
=( ) = 𝑟𝑝 𝛾 ; =( ) = 𝑟𝑝 𝛾
𝑇1 𝑝1 𝑇4 𝑝4
where 𝑟𝑝 = 𝑝2 ⁄𝑝1 = 𝑝3 ⁄𝑝4 . Since 𝑇2 ⁄𝑇1 = 𝑇3 ⁄𝑇4, then 𝑇4 ⁄𝑇1 = 𝑇3 ⁄𝑇2 . The efficiency becomes:
1
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1 − 𝛾−1 … 2.7.
𝑟𝑝 𝛾

The thermal efficiency, 𝜂𝑡ℎ , of a SGTC depends on the

pressure ratio, 𝑟𝑝 , and the specific heat ratio, 𝛾, of the
working fluid.
Variation of 𝜂𝑡ℎ with these parameters is shown in Fig.
2.4. This theoretical efficiency does not depend on the
turbine inlet temperature.
The efficiency of actual open gas turbine cycle is
significantly differed from theoretical efficiency.

2.3 The Specific Work Output, 𝑾.

The specific work output 𝑊, upon which the size of plant for a given power depends, is:
𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡 1 𝛾−1
= 𝑡 (1 − (𝛾−1)⁄𝛾 ) − (𝑟𝑝 𝛾 − 1) … 2.8.
𝑐𝑝 𝑇1 𝑟𝑝
Differentiating Eq. 2.8 with respect to 𝑟𝑝 (𝛾−1)⁄𝛾 and equating to zero, gives (Home Work);
(𝛾−1)⁄𝛾
𝑟𝑝,𝑜𝑝𝑡 = √𝑡 … 2.9.
2-6 Ch.2
Prepared by A.A. Al-Hussaini 2020 / 2021
 U.O.T
Mechanical Engineering Department / Power Plants Branch
Gas Turbines & Compressors
Chapter 2 / Gas Turbine Thermodynamic Cycles

where 𝑟𝑝 = (𝑇2 ⁄𝑇1 )𝛾⁄(𝛾−1) = (𝑇3 ⁄𝑇4 )𝛾⁄(𝛾−1) ; 𝑡 = 𝑇3 ⁄𝑇1, then;

𝑇2 𝑇3 𝑇3
× = → 𝑇2 = 𝑇4 … 2.10.
𝑇1 𝑇4 𝑇1
Therefore, the specific work output is maximum at a pressure
ratio when the compressor and turbine outlet temperatures are
equal.
For early gas turbines, values of 𝑡 = 𝑇3 ⁄𝑇1 between 3.5 − 4,
but with the introduction of air-cooled turbine blades allowed 𝑡
to be raised to between 5 − 6.
From Fig. 2.6, 𝑊 is zero at 𝑟𝑝 = 1 when 𝑇2 = 𝑇1 or 𝑇3 = 𝑇4,
where compression and expansion are negligible.
Also 𝑊 is zero at the value of 𝑟𝑝 = t 𝛾⁄(𝛾−1) for which 𝑇2 =
𝑇3 and 𝑇1 = 𝑇4 where the compression and expansion processes
are equal to each other.

2.4 Back work ratio, 𝒓𝒃𝒘 :

Back work ratio, 𝑟𝑏𝑤 , gives an indication how much
percentage of power generated by the turbine goes to the
compressor. It is defined as:
𝑟𝑏𝑤 = 𝑤𝑐 ⁄𝑤𝑡 … 2.11.
A power plant with a high back work ratio requires a larger
turbine to provide the additional power requirements of the
compressor. Therefore, the turbines used in gas-turbine power
plants are larger than those used in steam power plants of the
same net power output. (Why?).

2.5 GT Regenerative cycle

The temperature of the exhaust gas leaving the turbine is
higher than the temperature of the air entering the
combustion chamber. Therefore, the high-pressure air
leaving the compressor can be heated by the hot exhaust
gases in a heat exchanger, which is known as a regenerator
or a recuperator.

3-6 Ch.2
Prepared by A.A. Al-Hussaini 2020 / 2021
 U.O.T
Mechanical Engineering Department / Power Plants Branch
Gas Turbines & Compressors
Chapter 2 / Gas Turbine Thermodynamic Cycles

𝑞𝑟𝑒𝑔,𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙 = ℎ5′ − ℎ2 = ℎ4 − ℎ2 = 𝑐𝑝 𝑇4 − 𝑐𝑝 𝑇2 … 2.12.

𝑞𝑟𝑒𝑔,𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 = ℎ5 − ℎ2 = 𝑐𝑝 𝑇5 − 𝑐𝑝 𝑇2 … 2.13.
The effectiveness, 𝜖, of a regenerator is a numeric which
shows how far the actual regenerator is ideal;
𝑇5 − 𝑇2
𝜖= … 2.14.
𝑇4 − 𝑇2
A regenerator with a higher effectiveness saves a greater
amount of fuel since it preheats the air to a higher temperature
prior to combustion. A higher effectiveness requires the use of
a larger regenerator, which is expensive and causes a larger
pressure drop. The effectiveness of most regenerators used in
practice is below 0.85.
The thermal efficiency of an ideal gas turbine cycle with regeneration is;
𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇4 ) − 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )
𝜂𝑡ℎ = = … 2.15.
𝑞𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇5 )
For ideal regeneration, 𝑇4 = 𝑇5, then:
𝑇
(𝑇2 − 𝑇1 ) 𝑇1 ( 2⁄𝑇 − 1)
1
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1− =1− … 2.16.
(𝑇3 − 𝑇4 ) 𝑇4
𝑇3 (1 − ⁄𝑇 )
3

𝑟𝑝 (𝛾−1)⁄𝛾 𝑟𝑝 (𝛾−1)⁄𝛾
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1 − = 1− … 2.17.
𝑇3 ⁄𝑇1 𝑡
The efficiency of this depends on the maximum cycle
temperature and pressure ratio. The efficiency increases as 𝑇3 ⁄𝑇1
is increased. Furthermore, for fixed value of 𝑇3 ⁄𝑇1 , the
efficiency increases as pressure ratio is decreased in contrary for
simple gas turbine cycle without regeneration, see Fig. 2.9.
The efficiency curves fall with increasing pressure ratio from
𝑟𝑝 = 1 where 𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1 − 1⁄𝑡 until a value corresponding to 𝑟𝑝 =
(𝑡)𝛾⁄2(𝛾−1) is reached, and at this point equation (2.17) reduces
to (2.7). For this pressure ratio, the specific work output curves
reach a maximum where 𝑇4 = 𝑇2 and no regeneration is used.
For higher values of 𝑟𝑝 a heat- exchanger would cool the air leaving the compressor and so reduce
the efficiency, and therefore the constant 𝑡 lines have not been extended beyond the point where they
meet the efficiency curve for the simple cycle which is shown dotted in Fig. 2.9.

4-6 Ch.2
Prepared by A.A. Al-Hussaini 2020 / 2021
 U.O.T
Mechanical Engineering Department / Power Plants Branch
Gas Turbines & Compressors
Chapter 2 / Gas Turbine Thermodynamic Cycles

2.6 GT Reheat cycle

The work output of a turbine operating between two
pressure levels can be increased by expanding the gas in
stages and reheating it in between, i.e. using multistage
expansion with reheating. Figure 2.10 shows that the turbine
work is increased when a reheater is used.
since the vertical distance between any pair of constant
pressure lines increases as the entropy increases i.e.
(𝑇5 — 𝑇6 ) > (𝑇4 — 𝑇4′ ), thus;
(𝑇3 — 𝑇4 ) + (𝑇5 — 𝑇6 ) > (𝑇3 — 𝑇4′ ).
𝑤𝑡 = 𝑐𝑝 [(𝑇3 — 𝑇4 ) + (𝑇5 — 𝑇6 )] … 2.18.
𝑤𝑐 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 ) … 2.19.
𝑞𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇6 − 𝑇1 ) … 2.20.
𝑞𝑖𝑛 = 𝑐𝑝 [(𝑇3 — 𝑇2 ) + (𝑇5 — 𝑇4 )] … 2.21.
𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑞𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝜂𝑡ℎ = =1− … 2.22.
𝑞𝑖𝑛 𝑞𝑖𝑛
The exhaust gases are rich in oxygen, and reheating can be
accomplished by supplementary combustion chamber to hot
gases between two expansion states. For reheat cycle the specific
net output work is increase at the expense of efficiency. The
reduction in efficiency becomes less as the maximum cycle
temperature is increased.

2.7 GT Cycle with Reheat and Regeneration.

Adding heat-exchange as in Fig. 2.11 improve efficiency. The
higher exhaust gas temperature is now utilized in the heat
exchanger. In fact, when a heat-exchanger is employed, the
efficiency is higher with reheat than without reheat.
𝑤𝑡 = 𝑐𝑝 [(𝑇3 — 𝑇4 ) + (𝑇5 — 𝑇6 )] … 2.23.
𝑤𝑐 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 ) … 2.24.
𝑞𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇8 − 𝑇1 ) … 2.25.
𝑞𝑖𝑛 = 𝑐𝑝 [(𝑇3 — 𝑇7 ) + (𝑇5 — 𝑇4 )] … 2.26.
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑡 ⁄𝑞𝑖𝑛 = 1 − 𝑞𝑜𝑢𝑡 ⁄𝑞𝑖𝑛 … 2.27.
𝜖 = (𝑇7 − 𝑇2 )⁄(𝑇6 − 𝑇2 ) … 2.28.

5-6 Ch.2
Prepared by A.A. Al-Hussaini 2020 / 2021
 U.O.T
Mechanical Engineering Department / Power Plants Branch
Gas Turbines & Compressors
Chapter 2 / Gas Turbine Thermodynamic Cycles

GT Cycle with Intercooling.

The work required to compress a gas between two pressures can
be decreased by carrying out the compression process in stages and
cooling the gas in between, i.e. using multistage stage compression
with intercooling.
Assuming that the air is intercooled to 𝑇1 , it can be shown that the
specific work output is a maximum when the pressure ratios of the LP
and HP compressors are equal. The minimum required work for
compression is when the process is isothermal (𝑇4 = 𝑇2 & 𝑇3 = 𝑇1 ).

2.8 GT Cycle with Intercooling, Reheating and Regeneration.

Utilizing Intercooling and
reheating with regeneration are
more beneficial. The gases leaving
the compressor is heated to a
higher temperature before entering
the combustion by the regenerator.
Fig. 2.13 shows a diagram of an
ideal two-stage gas-turbine cycle
with intercooling, reheating, and
regeneration and Fig. 2.14 shows
the T-s diagram for this cycle.
The work input to a two-stage compressor is minimized when equal pressure ratios are maintained
across each stage, also maintaining equal pressure ratio across turbine stage maximizes the turbine
work output. Thus, for best performance:
𝑇4 = 𝑇2 ; 𝑇3 = 𝑇1 ; 𝑇9 = 𝑇5
𝑝2 𝑝4 𝑝6 𝑝8
= ; =
𝑝1 𝑝3 𝑝7 𝑝9
Intercooling and reheating improves the back-work ratio but
always decreases the thermal efficiency unless they are accompanied
by regeneration. This is because intercooling decreases the average
temperature at which heat is added, and reheating increases the
average temperature at which heat is rejected.
Therefore, in gas turbine power plants, intercooling and reheating
are always used in conjunction with regeneration.
6-6 Ch.2
Prepared by A.A. Al-Hussaini 2020 / 2021