1

Republic of the Philippines

Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa, Manila

FINAL PETA AND FINAL EXAM

GAS CYCLES PROBLEM

Group Number: 10 Section: 1-3 Date Performed: FEB. 21, 2024

Leader : JOSHUA HUIZO MISTAL

Members : RALPH DANIEL JIMENEZ
JOMARI RAPHAEL MANGAHAS
MARK JOSEPH BRIN
CHRISTIAN MIEL GAGOLINAN

Introduction:
We were given this problem for Chemistry for Engineers to solve a gas problem cycle. This paper
aims to solve a problem involving finding the thermal efficiency of a gas turbine cycle of nitrous oxide as
the working fluid in the Brayton cycle.

Problem:
You've been commissioned to engineer an innovative control system for a gas turbine cycle powering a
state-of-the-art power generation plant. The company's vision. Achieving remarkable thermal efficiency
for your power engine. The challenge is to design a system that not only meets but exceeds ambitious
efficiency targets, propelling the plant into a new era of sustainable and efficient energy production. The
gas turbine operates on the Brayton cycle, and you have decided to utilize nitrous oxide as the working
fluid. Now to see that nitrous oxide is the most efficient choice for this cycle to achieve the desired
efficiency goals, you must evaluate the thermodynamic properties and performance characteristics. The
cycle consists of four distinct processes: isentropic (or adiabatic) compression, constant pressure heat
addition, isentropic (or adiabatic) expansion, and constant pressure heat rejection. The performance
of a nitrous oxide gas turbine relies heavily on two primary factors: the maximum turbine inlet
temperature and the compressor pressure ratio (𝑷𝑹 =𝑷𝟐/𝑷𝟏). These parameters play pivotal roles in
determining the thermal efficiency of the engine, given its single compressor and single turbine
configuration.
 2

Figure 1.1 Brayton Cycle Arrangement

As the turbine arrangement is shown in figure 1.1, the high-pressure stage receives nitrogenous oxide gas
(point 3) from a heat exchanger at 7.5 MPa at 1250K where the isentropic turbine efficiency is 90%. This
exits into another heat exchanger, where the outlet pressure (in point 4) comes at 3.0 Mpa. The compressor
pressure ratio is PR= 2.5 and the gas enters back from the compressor at point 1 with the pressure of 3.0
Mpa at 310 K where the isentropic compression efficiency is at 85%. Calculate the heat added by the heat
exchanger, the compressor outlet temperature, the real work by the turbine (ηT=91%) and the thermal
efficiency of this cycle. Based on the thermal efficiency (ηth) of the Brayton cycle, discuss the potential
implications on the overall fuel consumption or fuel efficiency of the gas turbine power plant.

Objectives:
The objective was to calculate the heat added by the heat exchanger, determine the compressor
outlet temperature, evaluate the real work done by the turbine considering an efficiency of ηT = 91%, and
finally, assess the thermal efficiency of the gas turbine cycle. By addressing these parameters, we aimed
to rigorously analyze the performance of the system utilizing nitrous oxide as the working fluid in the
Brayton cycle. This evaluation serves as a step towards achieving the company's vision of remarkable
thermal efficiency, providing insights into the potential implications on the overall fuel consumption or
fuel efficiency of the gas turbine power plant.

1. 𝑇2 → The compressor outlet temperature of the gas (T2, is)

2. 𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑 → The heat added by the heat exchanger (between 2 → 3)
3. 𝑊𝑐, 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 → The real work done on this compressor when the isentropic compressor efficiency is ηC =
0.85 (85%)
4. 𝑇4, 𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑐 → the turbine outlet temperature of the gas (T4,is)
5. 𝑊𝑡, 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 → the real work done by this turbine, when the isentropic turbine efficiency is ηT = 0.90 (90%)
 3

And discuss the potential implications on the overall fuel consumption or fuel efficiency of the gas turbine
power plant.

Derivation:
Derivation of Brayton Cycle Formulas
Enthalpy is convenient thermodynamic property for systems operating under varying pressures and
volumes, such as turbine cycles like the Brayton Cycle, and when many processes occur at constant
pressure, such as isobaric heat addition and heat rejection. Additionally, there is a heat transfer in and out
of a system which contributes to work and alters the system's internal energy. Due to variations in internal
energy (dU) and changes in system volume (ΔV) employing enthalpy is more preferred, especially by
engineers, to account for it.

Thus, we will derive work done and the sensible heat of such processes by using enthalpy.
From the first law of thermodynamics equation, we can establish the relationship by finding the enthalpy
change equation by taking the differential of the enthalpy formula definition:
𝐻 = 𝑈 + 𝑝𝑉
𝑑𝐻 = 𝑑(𝑈 + 𝑝𝑉 )
𝑑𝐻 = 𝒅𝑼 + 𝑝𝑑𝑉 + 𝑣𝑑𝑃
Where:
𝐻 = 𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦
𝑈 = 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
𝑝 = 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝑣 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

Substitute 𝑑𝑈 with the differential form of the first law of thermodynamics: 𝑑𝑈 = 𝑑𝑄 − 𝑝𝑑𝑉
Where 𝑝𝑑𝑉 = 𝑊 [𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 ]
𝑑𝐻 = (𝑑𝑄 − 𝑝𝑑𝑉 ) + 𝑝𝑑𝑉 + 𝑣𝑑𝑃
𝐻 = 𝑑𝑄 + 𝑝𝑑𝑉 − 𝑝𝑑𝑉 + 𝑣𝑑𝑃
Finally, we get the first law of thermodynamics in terms of enthalpy:

𝑑𝐻 = 𝑑𝑄 + 𝑉𝑑𝑝
In an isentropic process, entropy is constant. There is no transfer of heat, therefore, 𝑑𝑄 is equals to 0 (𝑑𝑄 =
0), allowing its exclusion from the equation.
𝑑𝐻 = 𝑉𝑑𝑝
We are left with enthalpy (𝑑𝐻 ) and the flow process work in a turbine engine: “𝑉𝑑𝑝 “. Since stated of its
change, we then proceed the derivation, enthalpy change equals the flow process work done on or by the
system, where 𝑉𝑑𝑝 is the flow process work as stated:
𝐻2 − 𝐻1 = 𝑊
(example equation for work in compressor)
 4

And for an ideal gas, this can be simplified since 𝐻2 − 𝐻1 is equals to work for a constant pressure and in
an isentropic process where entropy is constant, we can represent W by some heat capacity coefficient
(Cp) multiplied by the temperature (T): 𝑊 = 𝐶𝑝 𝑑𝑇 and the formula of change in enthalpy in an ideal gas
can equate to:
𝐻2 − 𝐻1 = 𝐶𝑝 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1)

Similarly for an isobaric process, we get the equation where the change of enthalpy is equal to the
change in sensible heat when 𝑉𝐷𝑝 = 0
𝑑𝐻 = 𝑑𝑄 + 𝑉𝐷𝑝
𝑑𝐻 = 𝑑𝑄
𝐻2 − 𝐻1 = 𝑄

And in an isobaric process where pressure is constant, we can represent W by some heat capacity
coefficient 𝐶𝑝 times the temperature T, and the sensible heat equates to the formula of change in
enthalpy in an ideal gas, at which 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑃 𝑑𝑇 , and we get:
𝐻2 − 𝐻1 = 𝐶𝑝 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )

𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 𝐻3 − 𝐻2
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 𝐶𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )
(example equation for sensible heat addition in heat exchanger)

From these we can derive formulas for each Work for both compressor and turbine, and the sensible heat
of the in the four processes (refer to Fig 1.1):
• Work of the compressor in an isentropic process at points between 1 and 2:
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 = 𝐻2 − 𝐻1
• Net heat addition of the heat exchanger in an isobaric process at points between 2 and 3:
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 𝐻3 − 𝐻2
• Work of the turbine expansion in an Isentropic at points between 3 and 4 (note that 𝐻3 > 𝐻4 ):
𝑊𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 𝐻3 − ℎ4
• And net heat rejected of the heat exchanger in an isobaric process at points between 4 and 1:
𝑄𝑟𝑒 = 𝐻4 − 𝐻1
 5

THERMAL EFFICIENCY
To derive the thermal efficiency of the Brayton Cycle
(𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘) 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡
𝜂𝑡ℎ = =
(𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡) 𝑄𝑖𝑛

Instead of using network (𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 ) of the cycle, we use the net sensible heat (𝑄𝑛𝑒𝑡 )

𝑄𝑛𝑒𝑡 (𝑄𝑖𝑛 −Qout ) 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝜂𝑡ℎ = = = 1−
𝑄𝑖𝑛 𝑄𝑖 𝑛 𝑄𝑖𝑛
Substituting sensible heat (Q) for 𝑄 = 𝑚𝐶𝑝 𝑑𝑇

𝑚𝐶𝑝 𝑑𝑇
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1 −
𝑚𝐶𝑝 𝑑𝑇
And more specifically the sensible heat released by the heat exchanger between points 4 and point 1
𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑚𝐶𝑝 (𝑇4 − 𝑇1 ) from Fig. 1.1, and heat exchanger added between points 2 and 3:
𝑄𝑖𝑛 = 𝐶𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇1 ) we get:
𝑚𝐶𝑝 (𝑇4 − 𝑇1 )
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1 −
𝑚𝐶𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )

We see that 𝑚𝐶𝑝 will cancel out and we then find the formula for Thermal Efficiency.
𝑇4 − 𝑇1
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1 −
𝑇3 − 𝑇2

Now we will use the Isentropic Efficiency formula to derive the formula for Thermal Efficiency, in
𝑝
terms of pressure ratio of 𝑃𝑅 = 𝑝2.
1
For an adiabatic process:
𝑇
𝛾−1 =𝑘
𝑃 𝛾
Where k is constant, we can use this to find the ratio between points 1 and 2.
𝑇1 𝑇2
=
𝛾−1 𝛾−1
𝛾 𝛾
To find the equation for temperature at point 1:
𝛾−1
𝑃1 𝛾
𝑇1 = 𝑇2 [ ]
𝑃2

𝑃 𝑃
And we find that 𝑃1 is the reciprocal of pressure ratio (𝑃𝑅 = 𝑃2):
2 1
𝛾−1
1 𝛾
𝑇1 = 𝑇2 [
]
𝑃𝑅
We can do this the same for the heat exchanger between points of 3 and 4:
 6

𝑇3 𝑇4
𝛾−1 = 𝛾−1
𝑃3 𝛾 𝑃4 𝛾
𝛾−1
𝑃4 𝛾
𝑇4 = 𝑇3 [ ]
𝑃3
And since the pressure at these points is equal and constant in isobaric process, we replace 𝑃4 = 𝑃1 and
𝑃3 = 𝑃2

𝛾−1
𝑃1 𝛾
𝑇4 = 𝑇3 [ ]
𝑃2
𝛾−1
1 𝛾
𝑇4 = 𝑇3 [ ]
𝑃𝑅

Substituting these equations for 𝑇1 and 𝑇4 into the original thermal efficiency formula, we can now find
the equation express in terms of the pressure ratio:

𝛾−1 𝛾−1
1 𝛾 1 𝛾
𝑇3 [ ] − 𝑇2 [ ]
𝑛𝑡ℎ = 1 − 𝑃𝑅 𝑃𝑅
𝑇3 − 𝑇4

𝑇3 𝑇4
=
𝛾−1 𝛾−1
𝛾 𝛾

𝑇1 𝑇2
=
𝛾−1 𝛾−1
𝛾 𝛾

𝛾−1
1 𝛾
𝑇3 [ ] − 𝑇3 − 𝑇2
𝑛𝑡ℎ = 1 − 𝑃𝑅
𝑇3 − 𝑇4
1
𝑛𝑡ℎ = 1 − 1
𝛾−
𝑃𝑅 𝛾
 7

Specific Heat Capacity (𝒄𝑷 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒗 ) and Their Ratio (𝜸)

Table 1. Properties of Ideal Gases at 25°𝐶, 100 kPa (SI Units)

As seen in Table 1, the specific heat capacity ratio of nitrous oxide is recorded as 1.274. To calculate the
specific heat capacity at constant pressure for use in determining enthalpy changes during isobaric
7
processes later, we consider that for a polyatomic gas like nitrous oxide, 𝐶𝑣 = 2𝑅

Derivation:
𝑘𝑔
First, we should find the molar mass of Nitrous oxide by converting the values from the table into 𝑚𝑜𝑙:

𝑘𝑔 1 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑘𝑔
𝑀 = 44.013 ∗ = 0.044 𝑁𝑂
𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 1000 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑙 2
 8

For Polyatomic Gas

7
𝐶𝑣 = 𝑅
2
7
𝐶𝑣 = ∗ 8.314 𝐽/𝑚𝑜𝑙 ∗ 𝐾
2
𝐶𝑣 = 29.099 𝐽/𝑚𝑜𝑙 ∗ 𝐾
Using Mayer’s Formula 𝐶𝑝 − 𝐶𝑣 ≈ 𝑅, substitute 𝐶𝑣

𝐶𝑝 − 𝐶𝑣 ≈ 𝑅
𝐶𝑝 = 𝐶𝑣 + 𝑅
𝐶𝑝 = 29.099 + 8.314
𝐶𝑝 = 37.413 9 𝐽/𝑚𝑜𝑙 ∗ 𝐾

Express in 𝐽/𝑘𝑔 ∗ 𝐾 by using molar weight of N2O

1
𝑐𝑝 = 𝐶𝑝 ∗
𝑀𝑁2 𝑜
𝐽 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁2 𝑂
𝑐𝑝 = 37.413 9 ( )
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾 0.044 𝑘𝑔 𝑁2 𝑂
𝐽
𝒄𝒑 = 850.30
𝑘𝑔 ∗ 𝐾
 9

Solutions & Answer:

Table 1.
Table of Given and Missing Values

Isentropic Isobaric Isentropic (Cycle) Isobaric

Process
Compression Heat Addition Expansion Heat Rejection

P1 = 3.00 mPA P2 = 7.5 mPA P3 = 7.5 mPA P4 = 3.00 mPA P1 = 3.00 mPA

T1 = 310 K T2 = ? T3 = 1,250 K T4 = ? T1 = 310 K

Compressor Outlet Temperature

Given:
𝑇1 = 310 𝐾 ; 𝑃1 = 3.00 𝑚𝑃𝐴 ; 𝑃2 = 7.5 𝑚𝑃𝐴 ; 𝛾 = 1.274
𝐶𝑝 𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
𝛾 = , (𝐶𝑝 = 0.874 ; 𝐶𝑣 = 0.690 )
𝐶𝑣 𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾 𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾

Find:
T2 -> The compressor outlet temperature of the gas (T2, is)
Derivation:
By P, V, T relations
1
𝑇2 𝑃2 1−𝛾
=( )
𝑇1 𝑃1
1
𝑇2 𝑃2 1−𝛾
𝑇1 ∙ = 𝑇1 ∙ ( )
𝑇1 𝑃1
1
𝑃2 1−𝛾
=> 𝑇2 = 𝑇1 ∙ (𝑃 ) [formula for T2]
1

Solution:
1
7.5 𝑚𝑃𝐴 1 − 1.274
𝑇2 = 310𝐾 ∙ ( )
3.00 𝑚𝑃𝐴
𝑇2 = 378𝐾
 10

Turbine outlet temperature

Given:
𝑇3 = 1,250 𝐾 ; 𝑃4 = 3.00 𝑚𝑃𝐴 ; 𝑃3 = 7.5 𝑚𝑃𝐴 ; 𝛾 = 1.274
𝐶𝑝 𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
𝛾 = , (𝐶𝑝 = 0.874 ; 𝐶𝑣 = 0.690 )
𝐶𝑣 𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾 𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾

Find:
T4 -> The compressor outlet temperature of the gas (T4,isentropic)
Derivation:
By P, V, T relations
1
𝑇4 𝑃4 1−𝛾
=( )
𝑇3 𝑃3
1
𝑇4 𝑃4 1−𝛾
𝑇3 ⋅ = 𝑇3 ⋅ ( )
𝑇3 𝑃3
1
𝑃4 1−𝛾
𝑇4 = 𝑇3 ⋅ (𝑃 ) => [formula for T4]
3

Solution:
1
3.00 𝑚𝑃𝐴 1−1.274
𝑇4 = 1,250 𝐾 ⋅ ( )
7.5 𝑚𝑃𝐴
𝑇4 = 1,026 𝐾
 11

Heat Added by Heat Exchanger

Given:
𝐽
𝐶𝑝 = 850.30 𝑘𝑔−𝐾 ; 𝑇1 = 310 𝐾 ; 𝑇2 = 378 𝐾 ; 𝑇3 = 1,250 𝐾 ; 𝜂𝑐 = 0.85 (85%)

Find:

Qadd,real -> The heat added by the heat exchanger (between 2 → 3) (Isobaric Process)
Derivation:

𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠 = 𝛥𝐻, (𝛥𝐻 = 𝐻3 − 𝐻2 )

𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠 = 𝐻3 − 𝐻2 Since 𝐻3 − 𝐻2 = 𝐶𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )

𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠 = 𝐶𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )
Solution:
𝐽
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠 = 850.30 𝑘𝑔−𝐾 (1,250 𝐾 − 378𝐾 )
𝐽 𝑀𝐽
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠 = 741,461.6 𝑘𝑔 ∙ 106 𝐽
𝑀𝐽
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠 = 0.741
𝑘𝑔

𝐶𝑝 (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 𝐶𝑝 (𝑇3 − 𝑇1 ) −
𝜂𝑐
𝐽
𝐽 850.30 (378 𝐾−310 𝐾)
𝑘𝑔−𝐾
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 850.30 𝑘𝑔−𝐾 (1,250 𝐾 − 310 𝐾) − 0.85

𝐽 𝑀𝐽
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 731,258 ∙
𝑘𝑔 106 𝐽
𝑀𝐽
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 0.731 𝑘𝑔
 12

Real Work done by Compressor

Given:
𝐽
𝐶𝑝 = 850 ; 𝑇 = 310 𝐾 ; 𝑇2 = 378 𝐾 ; 𝜂𝑐 = 0.85 (85%)
𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾 1
Find:

Wc,real -> The real work done on this compressor when the isentropic compressor efficiency is
ηK = 0.85 (85%)
Solution:

Wc = H2 – H1

Wc = cp ∙ (T2 – T1)
𝐽
Wc = 850.30 ∙ (378𝐾 − 310𝐾 )
𝑘𝑔 𝐾
𝐽 𝑀𝐽
Wc = 57,820.4 ⋅
𝑘𝑔 106 𝐽

𝑀𝐽
Wc = 0.05782
𝑘𝑔
𝑊𝑐
Wc,real =
𝜂𝑐

𝑀𝐽
0.05782 𝑘𝑔
Wc,real =
0.85
𝑀𝐽
Wc,real = 0.068
𝑘𝑔
 13

Real Work done by Turbine

Given:
𝐽
𝐶𝑝 = 850.30 ; 𝑇3 = 1,250 𝐾 ; 𝑇4 = 1,026 𝐾 ; 𝜂𝑡 = 0.90 (90%)
𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾

Find:
𝑊𝑡,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 → The real work done by this turbine when the isentropic turbine efficiency is ηT = 0.90
(90%)
Solution:

Wt = H3 - H4

Wt = cp (𝑇3 − 𝑇4)
𝐽
Wt = 850.30 𝑘𝑔−𝐾 (1,250𝐾 − 1026𝐾)

𝐽 𝑀𝐽
Wt = 190,467.2 ∙
𝑘𝑔 106 𝐽

𝑀𝐽
Wt = 0.19047
𝑘𝑔

Wt,real = 𝑊𝑡 ⋅ 𝜂 𝑇
𝑀𝐽
Wt,real = 0.19047 × ( 0.90)
𝑘𝑔

𝑀𝐽
Wt,real = 0.1714
𝑘𝑔
 14

Thermal Efficiency
Find:
𝜂𝑡ℎ,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 -> the Thermal Efficiency of the Brayton Cycle

Given:
𝑃 7.5
𝑃𝑅 = [𝑃2 ] = [3.0] ; 𝑊𝑡 = 0.19; 𝑊𝑠 = 0.0582; 𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠 = 0.741; 𝑊𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 0.1714
1
𝑊𝑐,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 0.068; 𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 0.731; 𝛾 = 1.274

Solution:
1
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1 − 1
𝛾−𝛾
𝑃𝑅
1
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 1 − 1
7.5 1.274−1.274
( )
3.0
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 0.1789 ∗ (100%)
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 17.89%

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑊𝑡 −𝑊𝑐
𝜂𝑡ℎ = 𝑄 =
𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠 𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑠
𝑀𝐽 𝑀𝐽
(0.19 − 0.05872 )
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
𝜂𝑡ℎ,𝑠 = [ 𝑀𝐽 ] ∗ 100
0.741 𝑘𝑔

𝜂𝑡ℎ,𝑠 = 17.8%

𝑊𝑡,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 −𝑊𝑐,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙
𝜂𝑡ℎ,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙
𝑀𝐽 𝑀𝐽
(0.1714 − 0.068 )
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
𝜂𝑡ℎ,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = [ 𝑀𝐽 ] ∗ 100
0.731 𝑘𝑔

𝜂𝑡ℎ,𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 = 14.15%
 15

Discussion
Having determined the thermal efficiency of the Brayton cycle to be 14%, the real thermal efficiency is
apparently lower than most power generators. Compared to close comparisons, an old and conventional combustion
engine using gas, thermal efficiency can reach up to 20% while diesel engine’s thermal efficiency could reach up
to 40%. Nuclear reactors on the other hand, the thermal efficiency of these reactors can reach between a minimal
of 1/3 or 33% efficiency or up to 45% for the modern ones. And the closes in comparison is to renewable energy
such as wind turbines, with an efficiency of around 30% that could reach up to 59% in maximum efficiency, and
solar collectors or panels reaching around 15% to 20%. Still however, it's important to note the distinction between
renewable and non-renewable energy sources; nitrous oxide, despite its lower efficiency, is not a renewable
resource.
The nitrous oxide gas powered turbine generator appears to be limited based on the calculated results. It
performs lower than even renewables in which its size is smaller compared to the said generator. Provided however
that it was able to reach an efficiency level of 14.15% shows there are perhaps other ways to improve the said device
utilizing nitrous oxide at its main agent in power generation. More conveniently, nitrous oxide would be more
effective as a cooling agent for generators whose external systems can reach to high temperatures or oxidizer for
rockets. Nitrous oxide is also used in semiconductors to create a thin layer for these small silicon chips, or also
known as Film Metal-Oxides for conductive properties.
 16

References
Berkeley Engineering. (2023d, November 29). Nuclear power renaissance - Berkeley Engineering.
https://engineering.berkeley.edu/news/2023/11/nuclear-power-renaissance/

Thermodynamic Processes | Definition & Types | Nuclear-power.com. (2021b, November 10). Nuclear Power.
https://www.nuclear-power.com/nuclear-engineering/thermodynamics/thermodynamic-processes/