Gas Power Plant page 1

B59TC - Gas Power Cycles

Introduction
The term Gas Power Cycles refers to a thermodynamic cycle where hot gas is expanded through a turbine to
produce work. The cycle is similar to a steam power cycle except that that the energy of the working fluid is
obtained directly from the combustion of fuel and air. It is not normal to recycle the working fluid and thus
this cycle operates as an open cycle. Gas power cycles are mostly used to power aircraft or generate
electricity but can have other applications. The turbine rotates at high angular velocities and therefore it is
not simple to connect directly to other devices requiring work, that is why you do not get gas turbine
powered cars.

The cycle is shown schematically:

1→2 Atmospheric air is drawn into a compressor and isentropically/adiabatically compressed to raise
temperature and pressure
2→3 In a combustion chamber, fuel is mixed with high pressure air and burned to increase
temperature (constant pressure)
3→4 High temperature, high pressure products of combustion are expanded
isentropically/adiabatically through a turbine to produce net work
4 Exhaust gases are expelled to the atmosphere, therefore an open cycle

However, to perform a cycle analysis we model the open cycle as closed by assuming that the atmosphere as
a heat exchanger (cooler) and the air is recycled (which it is, eventually).
Gas Power Plant page 2

The closed cycle is called the Brayton cycle and an ideal Brayton cycle is characterised as follows:

1→2 Isentropic compression (from p1 (atm) to p2) in the compressor

2→3 Heat addition at constant pressure
3→4 Isentropic expansion (from p2 to p1 (atm)) in turbine
4→1 Heat rejection at constant pressure

The cycle can be drawn on a T-s diagram:

Gas Power Plant page 3

Note that this T-s diagram shows concave and diverging pressure lines as this is the correct representation;
however for future diagrams they are drawn straight here for ease.

The work done in the compressor and turbine and the heat received and heat rejected can by calculated
from the enthalpy values at the appropriate states. It is assumed that mass flowrate is constant (although
the addition of fuel will increase the total flow rat of the exhaust gases and change the specific heat capacity
too).

Compressor work, W12 cp (T2-T1) +ve

Heat received, Q23 cp (T3-T2) +ve
Turbine Work, W34 cp (T4-T3) -ve
Heat rejected, Q41 cp (T1-T4) -ve

Note that we will initially assume that the specific heat capacity (cp) remains constant over the temperature
range of each stage even though the temperature is great (especially in the combustion chamber).
As with all thermodynamic cycles, we need to be mindful of the nature of the work (ie +ve or –ve) and
therefore it is best to express thermal efficiency based on the magnitude of the work components of the
cycle. The equation for thermal efficiency (based on a specific flow of 1 kg/s)
can be applied:

net work wturbine − wcompressor c p (T3 − T4 ) − c p (T2 − T1 )

η= = =
heat received q added c p (T3 − T2 )
or
heat rejected q rejected c p (T4 − T1 )
η = 1− = 1− = 1−
heat received q added c p (T3 − T2 )

For constant specific heat capacity (cp) this simplifies to,

(T3 − T4 ) − (T2 − T1 ) (T − T1 )
η= = 1− 4
c p (T3 − T2 ) (T3 − T2 )
Gas Power Plant page 4

The result is equivalent to,

𝑞𝑞𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
𝜂𝜂 = 1 −
𝑞𝑞𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

This result is only true when cp is constant and should not used to calculate the cycle efficiency of a cycle that
has cp values which change through the cycle (specific heat capacity is a function of temperature).

The cycle operate with constant pressure so p1 = p4 and p2 = p3. The ratio of pressure (or pressure ratio or
compression ratio etc) rp across the compressor and across the turbine are identical.

p2 p
rp = = 3
p1 p4

If we treat the working fluid, air, as a perfect gas;

γ −1 γ −1
T2  p 2  γ T p  γ
=  and 3 =  3 
T1  p1  T4  p 4 
or
γ −1 γ −1
γ γ
T2 = T1 (rp ) and T3 = T4 (rp )
thus
T2 T3
=
T1 T4
this leads to
1 T1 T
η = 1− γ −1
or η = 1 − = 1− 4
r γ
T2 T3
p

{students should prove these efficiency results, remember this only applies to an ideal cycle}
Gas Power Plant page 5

Example 1:
A gas cycle operates with a compression ratio of 8. Air enters the compressor at 300K, 1 bar. After
combustion, gases at 1300K are expanded through a turbine to atmosphere. Assume that cp of air is
1.005 kJ/kgK and γ = 1.4.

γ −1
1.4 −1
T2  p 2  T2
= (rp ) γ ⇒ T2 = T1 (rp ) γ = 300(8)
γ γ −1 γ −1
=  1.4
= 543K
T1  p1  T1
γ −1
T3  p3  T3 T3 1300
= (rp ) γ
γ γ −1
=  ⇒ T4 = = = 718 K
T4  p 4  T4 (r )
γ −1 1.4 −1
p
γ
(8) 1.4

Compressor work cp (T2-T1) = 1.005 x (543-300) = 244 kJ/kg

Heat added cp (T3-T2) = 1.005 x (1300-543) = 761 kJ/kg
Turbine work cp (T4-T3) = 1.005 x (718-1300) = -585 kJ/kg
Heat rejected cp (T1-T4) = 1.005 x (300-718) = -420 kJ/kg

585 − 244 420

η= = 1− = 0.448
761 761
Gas Power Plant page 6

Isentropic efficiencies

The compressor and turbine have isentropic efficiencies as these devices operate irreversibly and this alters
the outlet condition of the working fluid from the compressor and the turbine reducing the cycle efficiency.
All real cycles operate with irreversibility in all components and reduced thermal efficiency. Irreversibility’s
result from frictional heat losses due to the fluid flowing over the internal surfaces of the components.

γ −1
T2'  p 2  γ γ −1
=  = rp γ
T1  p1 
γ −1
T3  p3  γ γ −1
=  = rp γ
T4'  p 4 
Gas Power Plant page 7

h2 ' − h1 T2 ' − T1
ηc = = for constant cp across compressor
h2 − h1 T2 − T1
 γ −1 
T1  rp γ − 1
T −T 
T2 − T1 = 2 ' 1 = 
ηc ηc
h3 − h4 T3 − T4
ηt = = for constant cp across turbine
h3 − h4 ' T3 − T4 '
 
 1 
T3 − T4 = η t (T3 − T4 ' ) = η t T3 1 − γ −1 
 r γ 
 p 

Example 2:
Repeat example 1 with an isentropic efficiency of
80% for the compressor and 85% for the turbine.

T1 = 300K and T2’ = 543K from example 1

T2 ' − T1
ηc =
T2 − T1
T2 ' − T  543 − 300 
T2 = T1 + = 300 +   = 605 K
ηc  0.8 

Similarly
Gas Power Plant page 8

T3 − T4
ηt =
T3 − T4 '
T4 = T3 − η t (T3 − T4 ' ) = 1300 − 0.85(1300 − 718) = 805 K

(T3 − T4 ) − (T2 − T1 ) (1300 − 805) − (605 − 300)

η= = = 0.27
(T3 − T2 ) (1300 − 605)

The cycle efficiency reduces from 45% to 27% due to the isentropic efficiencies. It is worth noting that the
compressor outlet is hotter than originally calculated reducing the amount of heat added to the cycle when
the maximum temperature is kept constant. The compressor work increases over the ideal case. Also, the
turbine exhaust temperature is also increased, reducing work done in the turbine and increasing heat rejection.
The overall result is to decrease cycle efficiency.

Cycle Efficiency
For an ideal cycle the equation states that an infinite pressure ratio will result in an efficiency of 100%. Even
if am isentropic cycle could be created this result is impossible due to a number of reason one of which is
structural. The device would need to be made from a material and infinite pressure ratio would exceed any
material properties. Typical cycles, rp varies from 5 to 20 and the ideal cycle efficiency from approx. 35% to
65%. We will see later how this cycle behave under real (non-isentropic) conditions.

The maximum temperature of the cycle is T3 after combustion of the fuel and air mixture. This temperature
is limited by the maximum temperature that the turbine blades and casing can withstand.

A plot of ideal and real cycle efficiencies is shown. The real cycle efficient is a function of the maximum
temperature, T3, which is limited.

The air actually acts as a coolant and lubricant for the cycle. Typically air : fuel ratios are 50:1 so we can
assume that the gas always behaves as air.
Gas Power Plant page 9

Practical Gas Cycles

Turbo Jet Engine
A gas turbine cycle that is used in real applications can be shown below. The turbine produces sufficient work
to drive the compressor. This part of the cycle is called the “gas generator”. The exhaust gas is then passed
through a nozzle to give thrust. For a land based system the gas would pass through (an extension of the same
turbine) a free power turbine to create work that could be used for a separate application eg to generate
power.
Gas Power Plant page 10

In a gas power cycle the compressor is driven directly by the turbine (both are on the same shaft). If the
turbine work is insufficient to drive the compressor then the ‘engine’ will stall. Therefore, there is a limiting
case where the turbine work exactly matches the compressor work. This limiting case is dictated by the
maximum cycle temperature. Above this value the engine produces excess work and below, it stalls.

Example 3: find the limiting value of T3 where the cycle will work. Assume that the air and combustion
products have different cp values
limiting case
compressor work = turbine work
c pc (T2 − T1 ) = c ptc (T3 − T4 )
γ −1
T1  rp γ − 1
T2 ' − T1
T2 − T1 = =  
ηc ηc
 
 1 
T3 − T4 = ηt (T3 − T4 ' ) = ηt T3 1 − γ −1 
 r γ 
 p 
γ −1
T1  rp γ − 1  
   1 
c pc = c ptηt T3 1 − γ −1 
ηc  r γ 
 p 
 
 γ −1 
c pc 1  rp γ − 1 
T3 = T1  
c pt η c ηt  1 − 1 
 r γγ−1 
 p 
Gas Power Plant page 11

Two spool arrangement

The raising a fluid through a pressure rise by multiple compression steps is a common procedure. This
generally means that the compressors are smaller than the one required for the full pressure rise.

A two stage compression can be shown as. It should be noted that a design decision can be made to raise
the pressure over two equal pressure rises, in other words the pressure ratios are identical. The
intermediate pressure can be found as follows.
Gas Power Plant page 12

𝑝𝑝3 𝑝𝑝3 𝑝𝑝2

= ∙
𝑝𝑝1 𝑝𝑝2 𝑝𝑝1

𝑝𝑝3 𝑝𝑝2
=
𝑝𝑝2 𝑝𝑝1

𝑝𝑝3 𝑝𝑝2 2
=� �
𝑝𝑝1 𝑝𝑝1

𝑝𝑝2 = �𝑝𝑝3 ∙ 𝑝𝑝1

The relevance of two stage compression will be shown later.

Systems with pressure loss

A practical cycle will have pressure losses in all parts of the cycle. It is best modeled as a pressure loss in the
combustion chamber and a pressure loss on the ‘cooler’.
Gas Power Plant page 13

These pressure losses affect the efficiency of the cycle as the turbine pressure ratio is reduced, reducing the
amount of work produced.

Consider pressure loss only in the combustion chamber,

p3 = p 2 − ∆
p3 p 2 − ∆ ∆
∴ = = rp −
p1 p1 p1

How would this effect the limiting T3 in the previous example?

Cycle efficiency
The efficiency of an ideal and a real cycle can be illustrated as follows,
Gas Power Plant page 14

Ideal efficiency reaches an optimum value as rp increases; for a real engine it is a function of rp and maximum
cycle temperature. As T3 increases, so does efficiency. It can be seen that increasing the pressure ratio results
in the efficiency reaching a maximum value. This can be explained by looking at what happens in a cycle with
a fixed maximum temperature and an increasing pressure ratio. The diagram below has not been drawn with
isentropic efficiencies included but it is these effects that cause the efficiency to rise and fall. At low pressure
ratio the net work (difference between turbine work and compressor work) is small and the heat addition and
rejection is low. This results in a low efficiency. As the pressure ratio increases, net work increases and heats
reduce, cycle efficiency increases. As pressure ratio continues to increase, the net work decreases again.

Improving cycle efficiency.

It is the goal of engineers to improve the thermal efficiency of cycles with the aim of reaching maximum 2nd
law efficiency. There are many ways of increasing cycle efficiency but three will be considered:
• Regeneration
• Intercooling
• Reheat
Gas Power Plant page 15

These methods will be looked at in turn and their contribution will be considered. Note that the first two
method only apply to land based cycles as they require extra components that are not appropriate for aircraft
engines.

Regeneration
Any cycle’s efficiency can be improved if the amount of heat rejected is decreased. This means that more
energy is available for work. In a gas turbine cycle the exhaust gases are very hot when they leave the engine.
It is possible to recover heat from these exhaust gases by means of a heat exchanger called a recuperator that
takes heat from the exhaust gases and then transfers it to the air between the exit of the compressor, prior to
combustion. The heating of pre-combustion air reduces the amount of heat required (less fuel required) to
raise the temperature of the air to the maximum cycle temperature. This also reduces the amount of heat
rejection. This results in an increase in cycle efficiency. The process or recovering heat that would otherwise
be lost to the environment is called ‘regeneration’. The process uses heat within the cycle for useful heating
elsewhere.

The t-s diagram is also shown.

Gas Power Plant page 16

The amount of energy recoverable in the heat exchanger is a function of heat exchanger performance. The
dashed lines indicates the maximum temperature difference that can be used for heat exchange. Heat
exchangers like all devices are not capable of working at their maximum theoretical values. If the heat
exchanger was ideal then the air at 2 could exit at temperature 3’ which is equivalent to the exit temperature
of the turbine. Similarly, the exit from the heat exchanger 6’ would be equal to the compressor exit
temperature at 2. To achieve this the exchanger would need an infinite surface area. As this is impractical the
amount of heat transfer is less. Exit temperatures that will occur are such that 3 < 3’ and 6 > 6’.

The performance of the heat exchanger can be expressed in terms of its ‘effectiveness’ (E). This is defined as,

𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑇𝑇3 − 𝑇𝑇2

𝐸𝐸 = =
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑇𝑇5 − 𝑇𝑇2

(Effectiveness will be covered in more detail in Heat Exchangers in year 3 and year 4/5)

The cycle efficiency can be written as normal and but the heat addition is now between 3 and 4.
Gas Power Plant page 17

There is a heat balance in the heat exchanger;

heat loss by hot gas = heat gain by cold gas.
For constant mass flow and specific heat capacity of the gases:
T3 – T2 = T5 – T6

Example, add a regenerator of effectiveness 80% to the existing cycle,

𝑇𝑇3 − 𝑇𝑇2
𝐸𝐸 =
𝑇𝑇5 − 𝑇𝑇2
𝑇𝑇3 − 605
0.8 =
805 − 605
𝑇𝑇2 = 765 𝐾𝐾
(𝑇𝑇4 − 𝑇𝑇5 ) − (𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1 )
𝜂𝜂 =
𝑇𝑇4 − 𝑇𝑇3
The heat added is reduced due to heat recovery in the regenerator, heat is added from 605 K rather than 543 K.
(1300 − 805) − (605 − 300)
𝜂𝜂 = = 0.36 (36%)
1300 − 765
The efficiency increases from 27% to 36% due to the heating of pre-combustion air from the heat recovery due
to regeneration.

Intercooling
Intercooling is done between the two stages of compression by using a heat exchanger. For the purposes of
demonstrating the effect of intercooling it will be assumed that there is ideal heat exchange and the exchanger
has an effectiveness equal to 1.0. The intercooling results in a reduction in work required to raise the fluid
through the full pressure range. However, the temperature of the air before combustion is reduced too,
requiring more heat addition. The effect of one positive and one negative needs to be investigated to see if
cycle efficiency increases or decreases.
Gas Power Plant page 18

Inspection of the T-s diagram shows that there is less work done in two compressions with intercooling
between the stages than one single compression. The intermediate pressure is chosen so that the pressure
rise across each stage us the same (see previous working). The temperature rise is the same across each
compressor and equal work is done.
Gas Power Plant page 19

2 x

If the intermediate pressure is given by 𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑖 = �𝑝𝑝1 𝑝𝑝2 then 𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1 = 𝑇𝑇4 − 𝑇𝑇3

Work doneby two compressors with intercooling < single stage compression
𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1 + 𝑇𝑇4 − 𝑇𝑇3 < 𝑇𝑇𝐴𝐴 − 𝑇𝑇1
2 W12 < W1A

However is should be noted that heat is rejected between 2 and 3 and extra heat is added from 4 to A. In
otherwords, Wnet decreases howvere more heat is added. Calculation will confirm if the loss in work
compensates the extra heat.
Gas Power Plant page 20

(continuing) Example
With the previous cycle, add two stage compression with;
• intercooling only
• intercooling plus a regenerator

𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑖 = �𝑝𝑝1 𝑝𝑝2 = √1 × 8 = 2.83 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏

𝑇𝑇2′ 𝛾𝛾−1
= 𝑟𝑟𝑝𝑝 𝛾𝛾
𝑇𝑇1
1.4−1
𝑇𝑇2′ 2.83 1.4
=� �
300 1
𝑇𝑇2′ = 404𝐾𝐾
𝑇𝑇2′ − 𝑇𝑇1
𝜂𝜂𝑐𝑐 =
𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1
404 − 300
0.8 =
𝑇𝑇2 − 300
𝑇𝑇2 = 430𝐾𝐾
Perfectr intercooling, so T3 = T1
𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 (𝑇𝑇6 − 𝑇𝑇5 ) − 2(𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1 )
𝜂𝜂 = =
𝑄𝑄̇𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (𝑇𝑇6 − 𝑇𝑇4 )
(1300 − 805) − 2(430 − 300)
𝜂𝜂 = = 0.27 (27%)
(1300 − 430)
In this case the arrangement is no worse than before

Add regeneration, E = 80%

𝑇𝑇5 − 𝑇𝑇4
𝐸𝐸 =
𝑇𝑇7 − 𝑇𝑇4
𝑇𝑇5 − 430
0.8 =
805 − 430
𝑇𝑇5 = 730 𝐾𝐾
𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 (𝑇𝑇6 − 𝑇𝑇5 ) − 2(𝑇𝑇2 − 𝑇𝑇1 )
𝜂𝜂 = =
̇
𝑄𝑄𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (𝑇𝑇6 − 𝑇𝑇5 )
(1300 − 805) − 2(430 − 300)
𝜂𝜂 = = 0.41 (41%)
(1300 − 730)
A significant increase in cycle efficiency.
Gas Power Plant page 21

Note in real arrangements the intercooler will also have an effectiveness as it is not ideal. The above
calculations can be done to include an intercooler with an effectiveness of 80% to get a cycle efficiency of ###

Reheating
Reheating is the inclusion of a second combustion chamber located after the first turbine at an intermediate
pressure. As the exhaust from the first combustion is still oxygen rich there is no need to include fresh air so
there is now a second heat addition.

𝑄𝑄̇𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 𝑚𝑚1 𝑐𝑐1 (𝑇𝑇3 − 𝑇𝑇2 ) + 𝑚𝑚

�� (𝑇𝑇5 �
𝑐𝑐�2���
2� 𝑇𝑇4 )
−���
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒
Gas Power Plant page 22

Note that the mass flow rate and specific heat capacity of the exhaust changes after reheat. For simple
analysis, the mass flow rate and specific heat capacity can be considered constant. As Tmax is set for the
metallurgical limit, reheat temperature can be the same as the temperature from the first combustion.

Reheat is used in military aircraft to increase thrust by spraying fuel directly into the nozzle. This is called
afterburning.

The total heat added is the sum of the heat added in combustion chamber 1 (cc#1) and combustion chamber
2(cc#2). For land-based arrangements, regeneration and intercooling can be incorporated into the cycle.
𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
𝜂𝜂 = =
𝑄𝑄̇𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑄𝑄̇𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐#1 + 𝑄𝑄̇𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐#2

Perfect Gas turbine arrangement – The Ericson Cycle

Consider a cycles that has the following;
• an infinite number of compressors with ideal intercooling between each stage
• an infinite number of turbines with reheat between each stage
• ideal (perfect) regeneration

The cycle would look as shown in the T-s diagram

Gas Power Plant page 23

The heat addition can be considered to occur at Tmax as all the heat is added in the reheat (perfect
regeneration as shown) and the heat rejection at Tmin so we have a perfect 2nd law device. Based on our
examples the efficiency will be

𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
=
𝑄𝑄̇𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
𝑇𝑇𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 300
𝜂𝜂 = 1 − =1− = 0.77 (77%)
𝑇𝑇𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 1300

The problem with this cycle is that the net work output would be extremely small (there would need to be
one more turbine than compressor, operating over an infinitesimal temperature rise.

This highlights one of the problems when aiming for maximum efficiency!