KJM 442

HEAT & FLUIDS

CHAPTER 03
GAS POWER CYCLES

PREPARED BY:
PN. ROSNADIAH BAHSAN
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, UiTM SHAH ALAM
OBJECTIVES:

When finish studying this chapter, student should be able to:

Describe the working principle of gas turbine.

Construct the Brayton cycle based on the gas turbine

engine.

Solve problems based on the Brayton cycle and the

Brayton cycle with regeneration.

2
3.0 INTRODUCTION
 Gas Turbine is a type of INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.
 Gas turbine is a rotary machine and a mechanical system that produces
power.
 Gas turbines tend to be lighter and compact to makes they well suited
for transportation applications such as aircraft propulsion and marine.
 Gas turbines are also commonly used for stationary power generation.

3
3.0 INTRODUCTION

4
3.0 INTRODUCTION

Advantages Disadvantages
 Very high power-to-weight ratio,  Cost is much greater than for a
compared to reciprocating engines. similar-sized reciprocating engine
 Smaller than most reciprocating since the materials must be stronger
engines of the same power rating. and more heat resistant.
 Moves in one direction only, with far  Designing and manufacturing gas
less vibration than a reciprocating turbines is a tough problem from
engine. both the engineering and materials
 Fewer moving parts than standpoint.
reciprocating engines.  Usually less efficient than
 Low operating pressures. reciprocating engines, especially at
idle.
 High operation speeds.
 Delayed response to changes in power
 Low lubricating oil cost and
settings.
consumption.
These disadvantages explain why road
vehicles, which are smaller, cheaper and
follow a less regular pattern of use than
tanks, helicopters, large boats and so on,
do not use gas turbine engines, 5
regardless of the size and power
advantages imminently available.
 3.0 INTRODUCTION

The Working Principle of Gas Turbine Engine

• It consists of three main components; Combustion Chamber; Compressor;
Turbine and a Shaft connecting the Turbine and Compressor.
• Gas turbine engines derive their power from burning fuel in a combustion
chamber and using the fast flowing combustion gases to drive a turbine.
• It sucks in air from the atmosphere, compresses it, and send into combustion
chamber.
• The fuel is injected into compressed air in the combustion chamber and ignited.
• The gases expand doing work and finally exhausts outside.

6
3.0 INTRODUCTION

The Working Principle of Gas Turbine Engine

1) Intake phase:
Fresh air at ambient conditions is drawn into the
engine by the action of the compressor.
Pressure, temperature and volume remain the
same through the intake phase.
2) Compression phase:
Intake air is mechanically compressed using part
or work output from the turbine. Pressure and
temperature increase with a corresponding
decrease in volume. Mechanical energy driving
the compressor is converted to kinetic energy in
the form of compressed air.
3) Combustion phase:
Fuel is sprayed into the combustor and burned converting the chemical energy
to thermal energy in the form of a hot expanding gas. Volume and temperature
greatly increase while pressure remains constant through the combustor.
4) Expansion phase:
Thermal energy is converted to mechanical energy as the hot expanding gases
from the combustor turn the turbine rotor. Pressure and temperature decrease
7
while volume increases through the expansion phase.
 3.1 BRAYTON CYCLE : THE IDEAL CYCLE FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES

 The Brayton cycle (a.k.a. Joule cycle) is the air-standard ideal cycle
approximation for the gas turbine engine.
 The working fluid is air, which behave as an ideal gas
 The combustion process is replaced by a constant-pressure heat-
addition process from an external source, and the exhaust process is
replaced by a constant-pressure heat-rejection process to the
ambient air.
1-2 Isentropic compression (in a compressor)
2-3 Constant-pressure heat addition
3-4 Isentropic expansion (in a turbine)
4-1 Constant-pressure heat rejection

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3.1 BRAYTON CYCLE : THE IDEAL CYCLE FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES

Air-Standard Brayton Cycle

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3.1 BRAYTON CYCLE : THE IDEAL CYCLE FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES
Analysis

All four processes of the Brayton cycle are executed in steady-flow devices;
thus, they should be analyzed as steady-flow processes. The energy balance for
a steady-flow process can be expressed, on a unit-mass basis, as

 Vexit
2 2
− Vinlet 
(qin − qout ) + ( win − wout ) = (hexit − hinlet ) +   + ( zexit − zinlet )g
 2 

When the changes in kinetic and potential energies are neglected, the energy
balance for a steady-flow process,

(qin − qout ) + ( win − wout ) = (hexit − hinlet )

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3.1 BRAYTON CYCLE : THE IDEAL CYCLE FOR GAS – TURBINE ENGINES
Process 1-2: Isentropic compression
q12 = 0 (adiabatic process)

wcomp ,in = w12 = c p (T2 − T1 ) ( kJ / kg )

Process 2 – 3: Constant-pressure heat addition

qin = q23 = c p (T3 − T2 ) (kJ / kg )

Process 3 – 4: Isentropic expansion (in a turbine)

q34 = 0 (adiabatic process)

wturb ,out = w34 = c p (T3 − T4 ) ( kJ / kg )

Process 4 – 1: Constant-pressure heat rejection

qout = q41 = c p (T4 − T1 ) (kJ / kg )

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3.1 BRAYTON CYCLE : THE IDEAL CYCLE FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES

The thermal efficiency of the cycle is

wnet w − wc
η= = t
qin qin

In temperature relationship

η=
[(T3 − T4 ) − (T2 − T1 )] = 1 − T4 − T1
(T3 − T2 ) T3 − T2

Thermal efficiency also can be express in term of heat rejection and heat
addition  Q T −T
η = 1 − out = 1 − 4 1
Qin T3 − T2

Using the isentropic relations,

k k
p4 = p1 T2 T3 T4 T3
p2  T2  k −1 p3  T3  k −1 = =
=  =   T1 T4 T1 T2
p1  T1  p4  T4  p2 = p3 12
3.1 BRAYTON CYCLE : THE IDEAL CYCLE FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES
Thermal efficiency can be written as
k −1
k

T1  p 
η = 1− = 1 −  1 
T2  p2 

In term of pressure ratio rp = p2 p1 , the thermal efficiency is

1
η = 1− k −1
rp
k

wc
Back Work Ratio, rbw =
wt

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 3.1 BRAYTON CYCLE : THE IDEAL CYCLE FOR GAS – TURBINE ENGINES

Thermal Efficiency & Back Work Ratio

Thermal efficiency of the ideal Brayton
cycle as a function of the pressure ratio.
1
η th , Brayton = 1 − ( k −1)/ k
rp

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 3.2 PROBLEMS RELATED TO BRAYTON CYCLE

Example 3.1
The ideal air-standard Brayton cycle
operates with air entering the
compressor at 95 kPa, 22°C. The
pressure ratio rp is 6:1 and the air
leaves the heat addition process at
1100 K. Determine;
a) the compressor work per unit
mass flow,
b) the turbine work per unit mass
flow,
c) the cycle efficiency, and
d) the back work ratio.
Assume constant specific heats at
room temperature.

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3.2 PROBLEMS RELATED TO BRAYTON CYCLE

Example 3.2

In a gas turbine unit air is drawn at 1.02 bars and 15°C, and is
compressed to 6.12 bars. The maximum cycle temperature is limited to
800°C. Determine;
a) the compressor work per unit mass flow,
b) the turbine work per unit mass flow,
c) the cycle efficiency, and
d) the back work ratio.
Assume constant specific heats at room temperature.

16
3.2 PROBLEMS RELATED TO BRAYTON CYCLE

Example 3.3

Air enters the compressor of a gas turbine at 100 kPa and 25°C with a
mass flow rate of 6 kg/s. For a pressure ratio of 5 and a maximum
temperature of 850°C, determine:

i. the back work ratio (BWR),

ii. the thermal efficiency, and
iii. the net power developed in kW

(take cp = 1.005 kJ/kg.K and k = 1.4)

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3.2 PROBLEMS RELATED TO BRAYTON CYCLE

Example 3.4

A gas turbine is operating on Brayton Cycle principle, has air intake

pressure and temperature of 100 kPa and 15°C respectively. Turbine
entry temperature is 1200°C and pressure ratio of the compressor is
10. Assume that there is no loss in pressure during combustion
process and all expansion and compression processes are isentropic.

Sketch T-s diagram for this turbine gas operation and determine:

i. the temperature at the exit of compressor and turbine,

ii. the work consumed by compressor (kJ/kg),
iii. the work produced by turbine (kJ/kg),
iv. net work out of the turbine to electric generator (kJ/kg)
v. the back work ratio of this turbine gas unit (%)

Using constant specific heats at room temperature.

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 3.2 PROBLEMS RELATED TO BRAYTON CYCLE

Practice Problem 3.1

1. A simple ideal Brayton cycle with air as the working fluid has a pressure ratio of
10. The air enters the compressor at 290 K and the turbine at 1100 K. Using
constant specific heats at room temperature, determine;
a) the air temperature at the compressor exit,
b) the back work ratio, and
c) the thermal efficiency.

2. An aircraft engine operates on a simple ideal Brayton cycle with a pressure ratio
of 10. Heat is added to the cycle at a rate of 500 kW. Air passes through the
engine at a rate of 1 kg/s. The air at the beginning of the compression is at 70
kPa and 0°C. Determine the power produced by this engine and its thermal
efficiency. Use constant specific heats at room temperature.
[241.2 kW; 0.482]

3. A simple ideal Brayton cycle uses helium as the working fluid; operates with 83
kPa and 15°C at the compressor inlet; has a pressure ratio of 14; and a maximum
cycle temperature of 700°C. How much power will this cycle produce when the
rate at which the helium is circulated about the cycle is 50 kg/min? Use constant
specific heats at room temperature.
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 3.2 PROBLEMS RELATED TO BRAYTON CYCLE

Practice Problem 3.1

4. A gas-turbine power plant operates on a modified Brayton cycle has one
compressor and two turbine with an overall pressure ratio of 8. Air enters the
compressor at 0°C and 100 kPa. The maximum cycle temperature is 1500 K. The
high pressure turbine develops just enough power to run the compressor.
Assume constant properties for air at 300 K;
a) Sketch the T-s diagram for the cycle. Label the data states.
b) Determine the temperature and pressure between the turbines. [1279 K;
457 kPa]
c) If the net power output is 200 MW, determine the mass flow rate of the
air into the compressor, in kg/s. [442 kg/s]

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3.2.1 ACTUAL GAS TURBINE CYCLE

Deviation of Actual Gas-turbine Cycles from Idealized Ones

• The actual gas-turbine differs from the ideal Brayton cycle.

• The actual work input to the compressor will be more, and the actual
work output from the turbine will be less because of irreversibilities.

Irreversibilities and Losses

An air-standard gas turbine might be shown

more realistically as aside.

The deviation of an actual gas-turbine cycle

from the ideal Brayton cycle as a result of
irreversibilities.

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3.2.1 ACTUAL GAS TURBINE CYCLE

Irreversibilities and Losses

1) Frictional effects within the

compressor and turbine cause the
working fluid increases in specific
entropy across these component.

2) Due to friction also causes the

pressure drops when the working
fluid passes through the heat
exchanger.

3) The effect of irreversibilities in

turbine and compressor are
important.

4) The work developed by the turbine

decrease and the work input to the
compressor increase.

5) The effect will decrease the net

work output of the power plant.
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 3.2.1 ACTUAL GAS TURBINE CYCLE

Compressor Efficiency Turbine Efficiency

The isentropic compressor efficiency is given The isentropic turbine efficiency is given by:
by:

isentropic work input actual work output

η comp = ηturb =
actual work input isentropic work output
∆hs ∆h
= =
∆h ∆hs
c p ∆Ts T2 s − T1 c p ∆T T3 − T4
= = = =
c p ∆T T2 − T1 c p ∆Ts T3 − T4 s
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3.2.1 ACTUAL GAS TURBINE CYCLE

Example 3.5

A simple Brayton cycle using air as the working fluid with a pressure ratio
of 10. The minimum and maximum temperatures in the cycle are 295 K and
1240 K. Assuming an isentropic efficiency of 83 percent for the
compressor and 87 percent for the turbine. Determine;
a) the air temperature at the turbine exit,
b) the net work output, and
c) the thermal efficiency.
Assume constant specific heats at room temperature.

24
3.2.1 ACTUAL GAS TURBINE CYCLE

Example 3.6

Air enters the compressor of an air-standard Brayton cycle at 100 kPa,

300 K, with volumetric flow rate of 5m3/s. The compressor pressure
ratio is 10. The turbine inlet temperature is 1400 K. The turbine and
compressor each have an isentropic efficiency of 80%. Determine:

i) the thermal efficiency of the cycle,

ii) the back work ratio, and
iii) the net power developed, in kW

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 3.2.1 ACTUAL GAS TURBINE CYCLE

Practice Problem 3.2

1. A gas-turbine power plant operates on the simple Brayton cycle with air as the
working fluid and delivers 32 MW of power. The minimum and maximum temperatures
in the cycle are 310 K and 900 K, and the pressure of air at the compressor exit is 8
times the value at the compressor inlet. Assuming an isentropic efficiency of 80
percent for the compressor and 86 percent for the turbine, determine the mass flow
rate of air through the cycle. Use constant specific heats at room temperature.
[984.6 kg/s]

2. A simple Brayton cycle using air as the working fluid as a pressure ratio of 10. The
minimum and maximum temperatures in the cycle are 295 and 1240 K. Assuming an
isentropic efficiency of 83 percent for the compressor and 87 percent for the
turbine, determine;
a) the air temperature at the turbine exit,
b) the net work output, and
c) the thermal efficiency.
Use constant specific heats at room temperature.
[(a) 720 K; (b) 190.2 kJ/kg; (c) 30.8%]

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 3.2.1 ACTUAL GAS TURBINE CYCLE

Practice Problem 3.2

3. Air is used as the working fluid in a simple ideal Brayton cycle that has a
pressure ratio of 12, a compressor inlet temperature of 300, and a turbine inlet
temperature of 1000 K. Determine the required mass flow rate of air for a net
power output of 70 MW. Assuming both compressor and the turbine has an
isentropic efficiency of; (a) 100 percent, and (b) 85 percent. Assume constant
specific heats at room temperature.
[(a) 352 Kg/s; (b) 1037 kg/s]

4. A gas-turbine power plant operates on the simple Brayton cycle between the
pressure limits of 100 and 800 kPa. Air enters the compressor at 30°C and leaves
at 330°C at a mass flow rate of 200 kg/s. The maximum cycle temperature is
1400 K. During operation of the cycle, the net power output is measured
experimentally to be 60 MW. Assume constant properties for air at 300 K;
a) sketch T-s diagram for the cycle;
b) determine the isentropic efficiency of the turbine for these operating
conditions [95.4%]; and
c) determine the cycle thermal efficiency. [37.5%]

27
3.2.1 ACTUAL GAS TURBINE CYCLE
Development of Gas Turbines Engine
The highest temperature in the cycle is limited
by the maximum temperature that the turbine
blades can withstand. This also limits the
pressure ratios that can be used in the cycle.
The air in gas turbines supplies the necessary
oxidant for the combustion of the fuel, and it
serves as a coolant to keep the temperature of
various components within safe limits. An air–
fuel ratio of 50 or above is not uncommon.
There possible ways to improve the cycle;
1. Increasing the turbine inlet (or firing)
temperatures
2. Increasing the efficiencies of
turbomachinery components (turbines,
compressors):
3. Adding modifications to the basic cycle
(intercooling, regeneration or recuperation,
and reheating)

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 3.2.2 THE BRAYTON CYCLE WITH
REGENERATION
• In gas-turbine engines, the temperature of the
exhaust gas leaving the turbine is often
considerably higher than the temperature of the
air leaving the compressor.
• Therefore, the high-pressure air leaving the
compressor can be heated by the hot exhaust gases
in a counter-flow heat exchanger (a regenerator or
a recuperator).
• The thermal efficiency of the Brayton cycle
increases as a result of regeneration since less fuel
is used for the same work output.

A gas-turbine engine
with regenerator.

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 3.2.2 THE BRAYTON CYCLE WITH
REGENERATION

• The regenerator effectiveness εregen is defined as

the ratio of the heat transferred to the
compressor gases in the regenerator to the
maximum possible heat transfer to the compressor
gases. q = h −h
regen , act 5 2

qregen , max = h5' − h2 = h4 − h2

qregen , act h5 − h2
ε regen = =
qregen , max h4 − h2

• For ideal gases using the cold-air-standard

assumption with constant specific heats, the
regenerator effectiveness becomes;

T5 − T2
ε regen ≅
T4 − T2
• Upon derivation the thermal efficiency
becomes 30
T-s diagram of a Brayton cycle with
regeneration
 3.2.2 THE BRAYTON CYCLE WITH
REGENERATION

• The thermal efficiency depends on

the ratio of the minimum to
maximum temperatures as well as
the pressure ratio.
• Regeneration is most effective at
lower pressure ratios and low
minimum-to-maximum temperature
ratios.
• Can regeneration be used at high
pressure ratios?

31
3.2.2 THE BRAYTON CYCLE WITH
REGENERATION
Example 3.7

A Brayton cycle with regeneration using air as the working fluid has a
pressure ratio of 7. The minimum and maximum temperature in the cycle
are 310 K and 1150 K. Assuming an isentropic efficiency of 75% for the
compressor and 82% for the turbine and an effectiveness of 65 % for the
regenerator, determine
i. the air temperature at the turbine exit,
ii. the net work output, and
iii. the thermal efficiency.

32
3.2.2 THE BRAYTON CYCLE WITH
REGENERATION
Example 3.8

Air enters the compressor of a regenerative gas turbine engine at 100

kPa and 300 K and is compressed to 800 kPa. The regenerator has an
effectiveness of 65 percent, and the air enters the turbine at 1200 K.
For a compressor efficiency of 75 percent and a turbine efficiency of 86
percent, determine;
a) The heat transfer in the regenerator.
b) The back work ratio.
c) The cycle thermal efficiency.
Assume air is an ideal gas with constant specific heats.

33
3.2.2 THE BRAYTON CYCLE WITH REGENERATION

Practice Problem 3.3

1. A gas-turbine is designed with a regenerator. Air enters the compressor at 100
kPa and 30°C. The compressor pressure ratio is 10; the maximum cycle
temperature is 800°C; and the cold air stream leaves the regenerator 10°C cooler
than the hot air stream at the inlet of the regenerator. Assuming both the
compressor and the turbine to be isentropic, determine the rates of heat addition
and rejection for this cycle when it produces 115 kW. Use constant specific heats
at room temperature.
[258 kW, 143 kW]

2. Rework Problem 1 above when the compressor isentropic efficiency is 87 percent

and the turbine isentropic efficiency is 93 percent.
[(a) 720 K; (b) 190.2 kJ/kg; (c) 30.8%]

3. Air enters the compressor of a regenerative gas turbine engine at 310 K and 100
kPa, where it is compressed to 900 kPa and 650 K. The regenerator has an
effectiveness of 80 percent, and the air enters the turbine at 1400 K. For a
turbine efficiency of 90 percent, determine (a) the amount of heat transfer in the
regenerator and (b) the thermal efficiency. Use constant specific heats at room
temperature.
[(a) 130.7 kJ/kg; (b) 39.9%]
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TUTORIAL

1) Q3 JUNE 2013
2) Q3 JUNE 2015
Answer:166.31MW, 0.399, 0.53
3) Q3 JUNE 2014
4) Q4 JULY 2017
5) Q3 APRIL 2010
6) Q3 JUNE 2018

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