Thermodynamics

Overview
Contents
• Brayton Cycle Basics

• Flow Parameter

• Cycle Deck

• Firing Temperature

• Control Curve
Ideal Brayton Cycle
Four Thermodynamic Processes

re
P r essu
le
k C yc
Pea
e
3
t Pressur
tan n
Cons t Additio
He a

Isentropic Expansion
2
Temperature

Isentropic Compression

re
l e P ressu
um Cyc
m
Mini

re 4
s ta n t Pressu
Con ejectio
n
a t R
1 H e

Entropy
Brayton Cycle
Gas Turbine Application
QADDED
1 4
2 3
Heat W
COMPRESSOR Turbine
CLOSED Exchanger

CYCLE

Heat Exchanger

QREJECTED
QADDED
1 4
2 3
OPEN Heat W
COMPRESSOR Turbine
CYCLE Exchanger
QREJECTED
Ideal Brayton Cycle
Cycle Efficiency

Definition: Work Output (T3  T4 )  (T2  T1 )

Cycle  
Heat Added (T3  T2 )

Re-Arranging and Substitution Using:

1
Cycle  1   1  P2  T2 
  1
P T 
  1

   3   3 
 P2  P1  T1  P4  T4 
 
 P1  1
Yields Cycle Efficiency = f ( P2/P1 ): Cycle  1   1 
 P2 
 
 P1 
Brayton Cycle
Other Considerations

• Maximum Allowable Cycle Temperature

- Material Limitations
- Cooling Technologies

• Optimum Work Output

- Selection of Design Pressure Ratio

• Non-Ideal Cycle Effects

- Compression/Expansion Inefficiencies
- Pressure Losses
- Parasitic Flows
Ideal Brayton Cycle
Optimum Work – Selection of Pressure Ratio

Work Output: W  C P   T3 - T4    T2 - T1  
 T1  P3 P2
Isentropic Relationships yield: T4  T3   when 
 T2  P4 P1

Differentiate with respect to T2: dW  T3T1 

 C P 0  2  1  0 
dT2  T2 

Set to Zero and Solve for T2: T2  T3T1

 Ideal Brayton Cycle
Normalized Output Work vs. T2 with Lines of Constant T1 and T3

1.2 Max Output

Output Work / Max 7FA Work

1
7FA
7FA+e
0.8 7FB

0.6

0.4
Max
0.2 Efficiency
T2 = T1 T2 = T3
0
Compressor Discharge Temperature (T2)
Ideal Brayton Cycle
Maximum Work vs. Maximum Efficiency

Maximum Allowable Cycle Temperature

3 Max Eff 3’ Max Work 3’’
2
Temperature

2’

2’’

4’’

4’
1 4

Entropy
Brayton Cycle
Compression and Expansion Inefficiencies

re
LEGEND P r essu
le
Ideal Cycle k C yc
Pea
With c & t
e
t Pressur
tan n
Cons t Additio
Hea

Expansion
Temperature

ion
Compress

re ssure
C ycl e P
mu m
Mini

e
a n t P ressur
Cons t n
ea t R ejectio
H

Entropy
Brayton Cycle
Pressure Losses - Inlet, Combustor, Exhaust

re
Pr essu
LEGEND sch arge
ss or Di
Ideal Cycle pr e
Com
With c & t
With P’s
Combustor P
tio n
Addi
Heat

Expansion
Temperature

ion
Compress

Exhaust P
u re
ie n t Press
Amb

Inlet P
n
eat Rejectio
H

Entropy
Brayton Cycle
Parasitic Flows for Turbine Cooling

re
Pr essu
LEGEND h arge
Disc
s or
Ideal Cycle pres
Com
With c & t
With P’s
Combustor P
With Cooling Flows tio n
Addi
Heat

Expansion
Stg 1 Cooling

Stg 2
Cool
i ng
Temperature

Stg
3C
ion

ool
ing
Compress

Exhaust P
u re
ie n t Press
Amb

Inlet P
n
eat Rejectio
H

Entropy
Flow Parameter - Defined

Starting from basic continuity equation:

W    A V
Through substitution of thermo & compressible
flow principles, then re-arranging terms:

 1 2
1 M
W T0  2
 M 
P0 A R
  1 2   1
1  M 
 2 
Flow Parameter - Applied

Setting M = 1 (Choked Flow at Station 3)

W T3
 Const
P3 A3
Given:
Machine Size  W
Technology  T3
Max Output  P3
A3 is set to hold continuity
Brayton Cycle General Observations
• For Ideal Cycle
• Cycle efficiency increases with P2/ P1, and not dependent on
T3
• For given P2/ P1, as T3 increases, all additional energy input
becomes work output

• For Real Cycle

• ( T3 at Zero Work )Real > ( T3 at Zero Work )Ideal
• As T3 increases, both cycle efficiency & work output
increase
• Therefore, general conclusion is higher T3 is good
Gas Turbine Performance Estimator
(Cycle Deck)
Customers can register and then download
GTP Estimator by going to:
http://www.gepower.com/home/index.htm
GTP (Cycle Deck) - The Primary Gas
Turbine Thermodynamic Tool
• An aero-thermal math model of the entire GT cycle
(Thermodynamics, Aerodynamics, Compressible Flow, Heat
Transfer)
• Built & maintained by Systems Engineering
• Uses:
– Boundary conditions for component designers
– Performance prediction (Guarantees, Correction Curves, Studies)
– Control schedule development (Tx Control, IGV Control, etc.)
– Data reduction/analysis
– Core of performance monitoring programs
GTP (Cycle Deck) - Modular
Module Inputs Outputs
• Ambient Conditions • Compressor Inlet Conditions
Inlet System • Inlet P
• IBH Functionality
Control System & Iteration & Convergence

• Rotational Speed • Inlet/Exit Flow Rate

Compressor • Pressure Ratio • Overall Efficiency
• IGV Angle • Compressor Exit & Extraction Point Conditions

• Compressor Flow Conditions • Flow Rate Down Each Circuit

Parasitic Flows • Design Cooling Flow Fractions
• Flow Parameter Characteristic

• Compressor Exit Conditions • P/P

Combustor • Fuel & Diluent Flow & Composition • Combustor Exit Gas Conditions & Composition
• Design Point P/P • Nox & CO

• Combustor Exit Conditions • Stage by Stage Exit Conditions

Turbine • Dilution Air Proportions • Bucket Relative Temperatures

• Turbine Exit Conditions • P/P

Exhaust System • Design Point P

• Shaft Power • Generator Electrical Losses

Generator • Power Factor • Electrical Power Output

• Flows, Enthalpies Throughout Cycle • Power Output, Heat Rate, Cycle Efficiency
Cycle Performance
GTP (Cycle Deck)
Compressor Map

Efficiency Islands
Compressor Pressure Ratio

Line
rg e
Su

Speedlines

Compressor Inlet Airflow

GTP (Cycle Deck)
Turbine Map

Velocity Ratio
(Speedlines)
Turbine Stage Efficiency

Stage Pressure Ratio

GTP (Cycle Deck)
Four Stage Life Cycle

Production &
Advanced Engine Studies Detailed Product Design New Technology Upgrades
Full Load Field Test

Preliminary Final Expected Status Uprate

Performance Performance Performance Performance
Deck Deck Deck Deck(s)
Firing Temperature
• Defined as gas temp at point in cycle where
initiation of turbine work begins (N1 trailing
edge / B1 leading edge)

• Highest temp point in cycle for thermal

performance, but not hottest point in cycle

• Not possible to measure precisely

• Usually the “target parameter” for Tx control

curve generation, but not always
Firing Temperature
Defined at N1 Trailing Edge

Nozzle/Wheelspace Cooling Air

(Chargeable)
Firing Plane

Combustor N B N B N B Turbine
1 1 2 2 3 3 Exit Flow

Combustor &
N1 Cooling Air
(Non-Chargeable)
Bucket/Wheelspace Cooling Air
(Chargeable)
Expansion Line
Turbine Cooling Air (Chargeable vs Non-Chargeable)
TREACTION ZONE
TCOMB EXIT
Combustor Cooling

N1 Cooling
TFIR
ST
G1
Wo
E rk TB1 EXIT
Temperature

TN2 EXIT B1, N2 Cooling

STG
2W
o rk TB2 EXIT

TN3 EXIT B2, N3 Cooling

STG
3W ork TB3 EXIT
B3 Cooling
Frame Blowers
Tx

Entropy
Temperature Control Curve
• Tx control used to regulate fuel flow such that
gas temps/parts lives conform to design basis

• Subject to knowledge of turbine efficiency,

turbine cooling flows, back pressure

• Can have separate curves for base load, part

load

• Can be tailored to achieve variable firing

temperature, simultaneously meeting
performance, emissions, & parts life goals
Temperature Control Curve
Strategy Based on Turbine Efficiency Equation

Starting From Basic Efficiency Equation:

T
turbine 
T'
Through substitution of thermo & compressible
flow principles, then re-arranging terms:
T4
T3 
  
  
  1 
1 - 
 turbine  1   1  
   P3  
   
   P4  

Temperature Control Curve
Design Process

Process Inputs: Process Output:

1) Current Cycle Deck
2) Target Firing Temperature Isotherm
3) Expected Site Ambients

Exhaust Temperature
4) Expected Fuel Slope
5) Target NOX Corner
6) TX Limit
7) “Special” Considerations
- Tilted Curves
- 1, 2, 3 Piece
- Humidity
- Dry vs Wet
- DLN TRISE Criteria
- Base Load vs Part Load Compressor Pressure Ratio
- Compressor Temp Bias
Temperature Control Curve
Design Example

Back End Durability Limit

Hot Section Parts Life Limit

2 3

Exhaust Temperature
Firing Temperature

t
mi

Tamb = 59 F 3
Li

Tamb = 90 F
Target TFIRE= Design Target TFIRE= Design
n
tio

Pressure Ratio = 15.5 Pressure Ratio = 14.0

us

Exhaust Temp = 1100 F Exhaust Temp = 1165 F

mb

2
Co

1 Tamb = 0 F
Target TFIRE= Design - 75 F
Pressure Ratio = 17.5
Exhaust Temp = 1055 F
1
Compressor Inlet Temperature
Compressor Pressure Ratio
Temperature Control Curve
Dilution Effect

TFIRE
e
ressur
let P

S TG 1
In
rb ine
Tu

Expan
sion
Temperature

TBUCKET EXIT

re
n Pressu
io
Dilut
STG
2
E xp
ansi
on

TX
WITH LOWER DILUTION FLOW
TX
s u re
st Pres
NOMINAL
TX
Exhau WITH HIGHER DILUTION FLOW

Entropy
Temperature Control Curve
Backpressure Effect

re TFIRE
ss u
Pre
In let
b i ne
T ur

Expa
Temperature

nsion
in e L
TX
CC

re
s t P ressu TX
au SC
Exh
CC
Pr essure
st
xhau
SC E

Entropy
Wrap - Up
• Brayton Cycle Analysis
 Higher P/P is Good
 Higher Firing Temp is Good
 Cycle Inefficiencies, DP’s, Turbine Cooling are Bad

•Cycle Deck
 Modular Design, Evolves Over Time
 #1 Performance Tool (Design, Ratings, Control, Monitors)

• Firing Temperature
 Controlled via Exhaust Temperature
 Sensitive to hT , Turbine Cooling, Backpressure