3Gas Power Cycles
3.1 Overview
Gas power cycles use air as the working fluid; there are two main categories of gas power cycles, namely, gas turbines and gas engines. Both internal combustion and external combustion types are discussed in this chapter.
Enhancement to power cycles will be reviewed and calculations will demonstrate the increase in efficiency of some key changes to the basic cycles.
Learning Outcomes
- To understand the basic gas turbine cycle processes.
- To understand the practical amendments employed to improve the basic gas turbine cycle efficiency, for example, intercooling, reheating and regeneration.
- To be able to appraise the efficiency of a gas turbine power plant.
- To be familiar with Otto, Diesel, dual combustion and Stirling engine cycles.
- To be able to solve problems related to gas power cycles.
3.2 Introduction to Gas Turbines
Gas turbines utilize the principles of gas compression, heat addition and gas expansion to generate power. Gas turbines used in smaller energy utilities can provide a fast response and high efficiency coupled with low emissions.
3.3 Gas Turbine Cycle
The closed‐cycle ideal gas turbine plant is shown in Figure 3.1. The figure also shows the temperature–entropy diagram of the thermodynamic cycle, comprising four processes:
- Process 1–2: An ideal compression (isentropic process, i.e.
). - Process 2–3: The fuel is burnt with the air at constant pressure. ...
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