GAS TURBINE

POWER
PLANTS
 How Gas Turbine Power Plants
Work
The combustion (gas) turbines being installed in
many of today's natural-gas-fueled power plants are
complex machines, but they basically involve three
main sections:
The compressor, which draws air into the engine,
pressurizes it, and feeds it to the combustion
chamber at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour.
The combustion system, typically made up of a ring
of fuel injectors that inject a steady stream of fuel
into combustion chambers where it mixes with the
air. The mixture is burned at temperatures of more
than 2000 degrees F. The combustion produces a
high temperature, high pressure gas stream that
enters and expands through the turbine section.

2
 How Gas Turbine Power Plants
Work

The turbine is an intricate array of alternate

stationary and rotating aerofoil-section blades. As
hot combustion gas expands through the turbine, it
spins the rotating blades. The rotating blades
perform a dual function: they drive the compressor
to draw more pressurized air into the combustion
section, and they spin a generator to produce
electricity.

3
 Cycle Analysis

The gas turbine cycle may be either closed or open.

The open cycle is more common; atmospheric air is
continuously drawn into the compressor, heat is
added to the air by the combustion of fuel, and the
fluid expands through the turbine and exhausts to the
atmosphere. This illustrated in Figure 1.
In the closed cycle, the heat must be added to the
fluid in a heat exchanger from an external source,
such as a nuclear power plant, and the fluid must be
cooled after it leaves the turbine and before it enters
the compressor. Figure 2 illustrates this.

4
 Cycle Analysis
The air-standard Brayton cycle is the ideal closed-
system gas turbine cycle. It is characterized by
constant-pressure heat addition and heat rejection and
isentropic compression and expansion processes. Air is
the working fluid and may be considered an ideal gas.
Figure 2 illustrates the schematic for this cycle, and
Figure 3 illustrates the p-V and T-S diagrams for the
cycle.

The thermal efficiency, e, of the Brayton cycle may be

found as follows:
Wnet Qin − Qout Q
e= = = 1 − out
Qin Qin Qin
h4 − h1 T −T
e =1− =1− 4 1
h3 − h2 T3 − T2

The pressure ratio, rp, is defined as

p2
rp =
p1

5
 Cycle Analysis
and from isentropic expansion and compression
processes,
k −1

T4  1  k

= (rp ) k
T2 k −1
=
T1 T3  rp 

Therefore,
T2 T3
=
T1 T4

Eliminating T4,

1
e =1−
(r )
k −1
k
p

Thus, for the Brayton cycle the thermal efficiency is

a function of the pressure ratio, rp.

6
 Cycle Analysis
The maximum temperature does have an effect on the
optimum performance. If T3 and T1 are fixed, there will
be an optimum pressure ratio to produce a maximum
amount of work Wnet. The variable temperature is T2,
the temperature of the fluid leaving the compressor.

Wnet = mcp (T3 − T4 ) − mcp (T2 − T1 )

The intermediate temperature for maximum work is

T2 = T3T1 , T2 = T4
The optimum network occurs when the air
temperature at the compressor exit is equal to the air
temperature at the turbine exit.
(
Wnet = mc p T3 + T1 − 2 T3T1 )

7
 Cycle Analysis
The compressor efficiency, c, and the turbine
efficiency, t, are defined as

Wideal (h2 − h1 )s
c = =
Wact h2 − h1
W h −h
t = act = 3 4
Wideal (h3 − h4 )s

Figure 4 illustrates the states on an h-s diagram.

Thermal Efficiency

h3 − h4 − (h2 − h1 ) T3 − T4 − (T2 − T1 )

e = =
h3 − h2 T3 − T2
(h3 − h4 )t − h2 − h1 (T3 − T4 )t − T2 − T1
c c
e = =
h3 − h2 T3 − T2

8
 Open-Cycle Analysis
In the open gas turbine cycle, the air entering the
compressor is increased in pressure. It then enters the
combustion chamber, where fuel is added, and the
combustion process raises the temperature of the
products of combustion, which enter the turbine. The
products of combustion leave the turbine and exhaust
to atmosphere. Figure 5 illustrates this cycle
schematically, and Figure 6 shows the T-s diagram for
the cycle.

Note that air is the working fluid up to the combustion

chamber and that a different fluid, the products of
combustion, is the working substance after the
combustion chamber. In analyzing this power cycle, we
should use the properties of each fluid. In dealing with
air, we may use the air tables, or if none is available,
the ideal-gas law. In dealing with the products of
combustion, we may use the 400% theoretical air
tables or the ideal-gas law. The specific heats of the air
and the products of combustion will be slightly
different, with the specific heat of the products of
combustion being greater than that of air.

9
Combustion Efficiency
The combustion process may not proceed to completion, so not all the
chemical energy is converted into thermal energy.

The temperature of the products of combustion will not be as high as

ideally expected. To account for this, we introduce a combustion
efficiency cc, which tells us the percentage of energy released from the
fuel.

Therefore, the thermal energy generated in a combustion chamber per

kilogram of air is rf/a ccQh.

10
 Regeneration
The thermal efficiency of the typical gas turbine unit is
quite low. We observe that the exhaust temperature of
the turbine is quite high, indicating that a large portion
of available energy is not being used. This high-
temperature energy could be used.
This high-temperature energy could be used to
preheat the combustion air before it enters the
combustor. This increases the overall efficiency by
decreasing the fuel, hence heat, added.
Theoretically, the network from the turbine does not
change. In an actual unit, the network will decrease
because of pressure effects.

The optimum place for preheating is after the air has

been compressed; Figure 7(a) illustrates a schematic
for the system and Figure 7(b) illustrates a typical
diagram for the unit.

11
 Regeneration
Figure 8 shows the T-s diagram for the regenerative
cycle. If the heat exchanger were 100% effective, the
temperature at state x would be equal to the
temperature at state 4.
However, the heat exchanger is not 100% effective. To
denote how effectively the heat exchanger operates, we
define a coefficient called the regenerator effectiveness,
r.

actual heat transferred

r =
maximum possible heat transferred

hx − h2 Tx − T2
r = =
( ) ( )
1 + rf a (h4 − hc ) 1 + rf a (T4 − Tc )

where hc is the enthalpy of the products at

temperature T2. The actual heat transferred is equal
to the heat picked up by the air. The maximum
possible heat transfer would occur when the
products of combustion are cooled down to the
temperature of the air entering the regenerator.

12
 Closed Regenerative Cycle
The closed air-standard Brayton cycle may
also use a regenerator. Figure 8 illustrates
the schematic diagram, and Figure 9
illustrates the T-s diagram for the cycle.

13
Closed Regenerative Cycle
The thermal efficiency may be written as
W Q T −T
e = net = 1 − out = 1 − 5 1
Qin Qin T3 − Tx

For an ideal counterflow heat exchanger,

Tx = T4 and T =T 5 2
and the thermal efficiency is
T2 − T1
e =1−
T3 − T4
and
= = (rp ) k
T2 T3 k −1

T1 T4

then
 T  k −1
e = 1 −  1 (rp ) k
 T3 
Thus. In the ideal cycle with regeneration, the overall
thermal efficiency is a function of the pressure ratio
and the ratio of minimum to maximum temperature
occurring in the cycle.

14
 Reheating and Intercooling
Other methods for improving the cycle efficiency are
available. Although they may not all be useful on small
gas turbine units, large units usually profit by
incorporating them. Improvement in the cycle
efficiency can be made by reheating the fluid after it
has performed some work.
In the gas turbine unit this is accomplished by passing
the products of combustion through another
combustion chamber. Since there is more than
sufficient air for combustion, we can inject some more
fuel.
The reheated products of combustion return to the
turbine. Figure 10(a) illustrates the schematic for a
reheat-regenerative gas turbine cycle, and Figure 10(b)
illustrates the T-s diagram.
The products of combustion reentering the turbine at
state 5 are usually at the same temperature as those
entering the turbine at state 3.

15
Reheating and Intercooling
Another way to improve the cycle efficiency is
to reduce the work of the compressor. This
may be accomplished by compressing in
stages and, with an intercooler, cooling the air
as it passes from one stage to another.
Figure 11(a) illustrates the schematic
arrangement of the equipment, and Figure
11(b) shows the T-s diagram.

16
 Solved Problems
Problem No. 1
An air-standard Brayton cycle has air enter the
compressor at 27 C and 100 kPa. The pressure ratio is
10, and the maximum allowable temperature in the
cycle is 1350 K. Determine the pressure and
temperature at each state in the cycle, and the
compressor work, the turbine work, and the cycle
efficiency per kilogram of air.
Given:
p1 = 100 kPa, t1 = 27 C, rp = 10, Tmax = T3 = 1350 K
Required:
Pressure and temperature at each state in the cycle
Compressor work
Turbine work
Cycle efficiency
Solution:
At state 1, p1 = 100 kPa, T1 = 27 + 273 = 300 K
p2
rp = = 10
p1

17
 Solved Problems
At state 2, p2 = 10p1
p2 = 10(100) = 1000 kPa
T2 = T1 (rp ) k = 300(10 ) 1.4 = 579.2 K
k −1 1.4 −1

At state 3, p3 = p2 = 1000 kPa

T3 = Tmax = 1350 K
At state 4, p4 = p1 = 100 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
p  k
 100  1.4
T4 = T3  4  = 1350  = 699.2 K
 p3   1000 

Compressor Work
wc = −cp (T2 − T1 ) = −(1.0)(579.2 − 300) = −279.2 kJ kg
Turbine Work
wt = cp (T3 − T4 ) = (1.0)(1350 − 699.2) = 650.8 kJ kg
Cycle efficiency
1 1
e =1− = 1 − = 0.482 = 48.2%
(rp )
k −1 1.4 −1
k (10) 1 .4

18
 Solved Problems
Problem No. 2
In an air-standard Brayton cycle, air enters the
compressor at 27 C and 100 kPa. The pressure ratio is
10, and the maximum allowable temperature is 1350
K. The compressor and turbine efficiencies are 85%,
and pressure drops 27 kPa between the compressor
discharge and the turbine inlet. Determine the
pressure and temperature at each state in the cycle,
the compressor and turbine work, and the cycle
thermal efficiency.
Given:
p1 = 100 kPa, t1 = 27 C, rp = 10, Tmax = T3 = 1350 K
c = t = 0.85, p3 – p2 = 27 kPa
Required:
Pressure and temperature at each state in the cycle
Compressor work
Turbine work
Cycle efficiency
Solution:
At state 1, p1 = 100 kPa, T1 = 27 + 273 = 300 K
p2 T2 − T1
rp = = 10 c =
p1 T2 − T1

19
 Solved Problems
At state 2, p2 = 10p1
p2 = 10(100) = 1000 kPa

T2 = T1 (rp ) k = 300(10 )
k −1 1.4 −1
1.4 = 579.2 K
579.2 − 300
0.85 =
T2 − 300
T2 = 628.5 K
At state 3, p3 = p2 – 27 kPa = 973 kPa
T3 = Tmax = 1350 K
At state 4, p4 = p1 = 100 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
p  k
 100  1.4
T4 = T3  4  = 1350  = 704.7 K
 p3   973 

T3 − T4
t =
T3 − T4
1350 − T4
0.85 =
1350 − 704.7
T4 = 801.5 K

20
 Solved Problems
Compressor Work
wc = −cp (T2 − T1 ) = −(1.0)(628.5 − 300) = −328.5 kJ kg

Turbine Work
wt = cp (T3 − T4 ) = (1.0)(1350 − 801.5) = 548.5 kJ kg

Cycle efficiency
w
e = net =
 w = 548.5 − 328.5 = 0.305 = 30.5%
qin c p (T3 − T2 ) 1.0(1350 − 628.5)

21
 Solved Problems
Problem No. 3
A gas turbine unit produces 600 kW while operating
under the following conditions the inlet air pressure
and temperature are 100 kPa and 300 K; the pressure
ratio is 10; the fuel is similar to C12H26 and has a ratio
of 0.015 kg fuel/kg air. Estimate the air flow rate, the
total turbine work, the compressor work, and the
thermal efficiency. Heating value is 44,102 kJ/kg fuel.
Given:
Wnet = 600 kW
p1 = 100 kPa
T1 = 300 K
rp = 10
rf/a = 0.015
Qh = 44,102 kJ/kg
Required:
Air flow rate
Total turbine work
Compressor work
Thermal efficiency

22
 Solved Problems
Solution:
At state 1, p1 = 100 kPa, T1 = 300 K
rp = 10, rf/a = 0.015 kg/kg
Say cp = 1.0 kJ/kg.K for air and products of combustion

Wnet = Wt + Wc

( )
 a 1 + rf a cp (T3 − T4 )
Wt = m

 a cp (T2 − T1 )
Wc = −m
At state 3:
p2 = rp p1
p2 = (10)(100) = 1000 kPa
p4 = p1 = 100 kPa
T2 = T1 (rp ) k = 300(10 )
k −1 1.4 −1
1.4 = 579.2 K
( )
qin = rf aQh = 1 + rf a cpT3 − cpT2
(0.015)(44,102) = (1 + 0.015)(1.0)T3 − (1.0)(579.2)
T3 = 1222.4 K
k −1 1.4 −1
p  k
 100  1.4
T4 = T3  4  = 1222.4  = 633.1 K
 p3   1000 

23
 Solved Problems
Air flow rate
600 = m  a (1 + 0.015)(1.0)(1222.4 − 633.1) − m
 a (1.0)(579.2 − 300)
m a = 1.8812 kg s (answer)

Total turbine work

Wt = m ( )
 a 1 + rf a cp (T3 − T4 )
Wt = (1.8812)(1 + 0.015)(1.0)(1222.4 − 633.1)
Wt = 1125 kW (answer)

Compressor work
 a cp (T2 − T1 )
Wc = −m
Wc = −(1.8812)(1.0)(579.2 − 300)
Wc = −525 kW (answer)

Thermal efficiency
Wnet Wnet
e= =
Qin m  a rf aQh
600
e=
(1.8812)(0.015)(44,102)
e = 0.482 = 48.2% (answer)

24
 Solved Problems
Problem No. 4
A gas turbine unit receives air at 100 kPa and 300 K and
compresses it adiabatically to 620 kPa with a
compressor that has an isentropic efficiency of 88%.
The fuel has a heating value of 44,186 kJ/kg, and the
fuel/air ratio is 0.017 kg fuel/ kg air. The turbine internal
efficiency is 90%. Determine per unit mass the turbine
work, the compressor work, and the thermal efficiency.
Given:
p1 = 100 kPa
T1 = 300 K
p2 = 620 kPa
rf/a = 0.017
Qh = 44,186 kJ/kg
c =0.88
t = 0.90
Required:
Turbine work
Compressor work
Thermal efficiency

25
 Solved Problems
Solution:
At state 1, p1 = 100 kPa, T1 = 300 K
At state 2, p2 = 620 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
 p2  k  620  1.4
T2 = T1   = 300  = 505.3 K
p
 1  100 
T −T
c = 2 1
T2 − T1
505.3 − 300
0.88 =
T2 − 300
T2 = 533.3 K

At state 3, p3 = p2 = 620 kPa

Assume cp = 1.0 kJ/kg.K for air and products of
combustion
( )
qin = rf aQh = 1 + rf a cpT3 − cpT2
(0.017)(44,186) = (1 + 0.017)(1.0)T3 − (1.0)(533.3)
T3 = 1263 K

26
 Solved Problems
At state 4, p4 = p1 = 100 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
p  k
 100  1.4
T4 = T3  4  = 1263  = 749.9 K
 p3   620 

T3 − T4
t =
T3 − T4
1263 − T4
0.90 =
1263 − 749.9

T4 = 801.2 K

Turbine work
(
wt = 1 + rf a )c (T
p 3 − T4 )

wt = (1 + 0.017)(1.0)(1263 − 801.2)

wt = 469.65 kJ kg (answer)

Compressor work
wc = −cp (T2 − T1 )

wc = −(1.0)(533.3 − 300)

(answer)
wc = −233.3 kJ kg

27
 Solved Problems
Thermal efficiency
w w  + w c
e = net = t
qin rf aQh
469.65 − 233.3
e=
(0.017)(44,186)
e = 0.3146 = 31.46%
(answer)

28
 Solved Problems
Problem No. 5
A regenerator with an effectiveness of 60% is added to the
gas turbine unit of Problem No. 4. There are pressure
drops across the regenerator. There is a 20-kPa drop on
the air side and a 3.4-kPa drop on the exhaust side of the
regenerator. Determine the new fuel/air ratio to achieve
the same value of T3. In addition determine the new net
work and cycle efficiency.
Given:
From example no. 4
p1 = 100 kPa, T1 = 300 K
T2 = 533.3 K
wc = −233.3 kJ kg
Regenerator effectiveness = 0.60
Pressure drop on air side = 20 kPa
Pressure drop on exhaust side = 3.4 kPa
Required:
New fuel/air ratio
New net work
Cycle efficiency

29
 Solved Problems
Solution:
At state 3
p3 = 620 – 20 = 600 kPa
T3 = 1263 K as stated
At state 4’, p4 = p1 + 3.4 = 100 + 3.4 = 103.4 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
p  k
 103.4  1.4
T4 = T3  4  = 1263  = 764.2 K
 p3   600 
T −T
t = 3 4
T3 − T4
1263 − T4
0.90 =
1263 − 764.2
T4 = 814.4 K
Tx − T2
r =
( )
1 + rf a (T4 − Tc )
T2 = Tc = 533.3 K

In the combustion chamber

(
Tx + rf aQh = 1 + rf a T3 )

30
 Solved Problems
Equation 1
Tx − 533.3
0.60 =
( )
1 + rf a (814.4 − 533.3)
( )
Tx = 168.66 1 + rf a + 533.3
Equation 2
( )
Tx + rf a (44,186) = 1 + rf a (1263)
168.66 + 168.66rf a + 533.3 + 44,186rf a = 1263 + 1263rf a
r = 0.0130 (answer)
f a

New net work

( )
wt = 1 + rf a cp (T3 − T4 )
wt = (1 + 0.013)(1.0)(1263 − 814.1)
wt = 454.7 kJ kg
wc = −233.3 kJ kg
wnet = wt + wc = 454.7 − 233.3 = 221.4 kJ kg(answer)
Cycle efficiency

w net 221.4
e= = = 0.385 = 38.5%(answer)
qin (0.0130)(44,186)

31
Solved Problems
Problem No. 6
A gas turbine unit operates on a regenerative-reheat
cycle with compressor interstage cooling. Air enters
the compressor at 100 kPa and 290 K and is
compressed to 410 kPa; it is cooled at constant
pressure until the temperature drops by 13 C and its
finally compressed to 750 kPa. The regenerator has an
effectiveness of 70%. The products of combustion
enter the turbine at 1350 K and expand to 410 kPa,
where they are reheated to 1350 K. The exhaust
pressure is 100 kPa. The fuel has a heating value of
44,186 kJ/kg. Determine the fuel/air ratio in each
combustion chamber, the compressor work, the total
turbine work, and the overall thermal efficiency where
all expansion and compressor processes are isentropic
and no pressure drops occur in the regenerator.
Given:
p1 = 100 kPa, T1 = 290 K
p2 = 410 kPa, T3 – T2 = 13 K
p4 = 750 kPa, r = 0.70
T5 = 1350 K, p6 = 410 kPa
T7 = 1350 K, p8 = 100 kPa
Qh = 44,186 kJ/kg

32
 Solved Problems
Required:
Fuel/air ratio in each combustion chamber
Total compressor work
Total turbine work
Overall thermal efficiency
Solution:
Assume all cp = 1.0 kJ/kg.K
At state 1, p1 = 100 kPa, T1 = 290 K
At state 2, p2 = 410 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
p  k
 410  1.4
T2 = T1  2  = 290  = 434 K
 p1   100 
At state 3, p3 = p2 = 410 kPa
T3 = T2 − 13 = 434 − 13 = 421 K
At state 4, p4 = 750 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
 p4  k  750  1.4
T4 = T3   = 421  = 500.3 K = Tc
p
 
3  410 
At state 5, p5 = p4 = 750 kPa
T5 = 1350 K
At state 6, p6 = 410 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
p  k
 410  1.4
T6 = T5  6  = 1350  = 1136 K
 p5   750 
33
Solved Problems
At state 7, p7 = p6 = 410 kPa
T7 = 1350 K
At state 8 and 9, p8 = p9 = 100 kPa
k −1 1.4 −1
p  k
 100  1.4
T8 = T7  8  = 1350  = 902.1 K
 p7   410 
Combustion chamber 1
Tx + rf a1Qh = (1 + rf a1 )T5
Combustion chamber 2
(1 + r )T + r
f a1 6 f a2 (
Qh = 1 + rf a1 + rf a2 T7 )
Regenerator effectiveness
Tx − T4
r =
(1 + rf a1 + rf a2 )(T8 − Tc )
(
Tx + rf a1Qh = 1 + rf a1 T5 )
Equation 1
(
Tx + rf a1 (44,186) = 1 + rf a1 (1350) )
(1 + r )T + r
f a1 6 f a2 Qh = (1 + r + r )T
f a1 f a2 7

Equation 2
(1 + rf a1 )(1136) + rf a2 (44,186) = (1 + rf a1 + rf a2 )(1350)
34
Solved Problems
Equation 3
Tx − T4
r =
( )
1 + rf a1 + rf a2 (T8 − Tc )
Tx − 500.3
0.70 =
( )
1 + rf a1 + rf a2 (902.1 − 500.3)

Solving simultaneously:

Tx = 786.4 K
rf a1 = 0.0132 (answer)
rf a 2 = 0.0051 (answer)

Total compressor work

wc = −cp (T2 − T1 ) − cp (T4 − T3 )

wc = −(1.0)(434 − 290) − (1.0)(500.3 − 421)

wc = −223.3 kJ kg

35
 Solved Problems
Total turbine work

( ) ( )
wt = 1 + rf a1 cp (T5 − T6 ) + 1 + rf a1 + rf a2 cp (T7 − T8 )
wt = (1 + 0.0132)(1.0)(1350 − 1136) + (1 + 0.0132 + 0.0051)(1.0)(1350 − 902.1)

wt = 672.9 kJ kg
(answer)

Overall thermal efficiency

wt + w c
e=
(rf a1 + rf a2 )Qh
672.9 − 223.3
e=
(0.0132 + 0.0051)(44,186)
e = 0.556
or 55.6% (answer)

36
WWW.THEMEGALLERY.COM