MEC251-

THERMODYNAMICS
CHAPTER 5: GAS POWERED CYCLES: GAS
TURBINE PLANT
Hazim Sharudin
 Lecture Contents
1. Air Standard Cycle
2. Simple gas turbine plant : Brayton Cycle
3. Improving cycle performance: Regeneration,
Intercooling and Reheating
“Thermodynamics is a funny subject. The first time you go through it, you don’t
understand it at all. The second time you go through it, you think you understand it,
except for one or two small points. The third time you go through it, you know you don’t
understand it, but by that time you are so used to it, it doesn’t bother you anymore.”
Arnold Sommerfield

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Air Standard Cycle
Air-standard assumptions:
1. The working fluid is air, which continuously
circulates in a closed loop and always behaves
as an ideal gas.
2. All the processes that make up the cycle are
internally reversible.
3. The combustion process is replaced by a heat-
addition process from an external source.
4. The exhaust process is replaced by a heat-
rejection process that restores the working fluid
to its initial state.

Cold-air-standard assumptions: When the working fluid is

considered to be air with constant specific heats at room
temperature (25°C).
Air-standard cycle: A cycle for which the air-standard
assumptions are applicable.

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Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
 The ideal air standard cycle for gas turbine is known as
a) Joule cycle
b) Brayton cycle
c) Constant pressure cycle An actual open-cycle gas-turbine engine.

 Usually of the open cycle type

 Heat addition process is from an external source at
constant pressure
 Heat rejection process is a constant pressure to the
ambient air

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Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
 Process 1-2: Isentropic compression (in a compressor)
 Process 2-3: Constant pressure heat addition (in a combustion
chamber)
 Process 3-4: Isentropic expansion (in a turbine)
 Process 4-1: Constant pressure heat rejection
On property diagram

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Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
 For an adiabatic & isentropic process:
For process 1 to 2
𝐤−𝟏
𝐓𝟐 𝐯𝟏
𝐓𝟏 𝐯𝟏 𝐤−𝟏 = 𝐓𝟐 𝐯𝟐 𝐤−𝟏 =
𝐓𝟏 𝐯𝟐
𝐤−𝟏
𝐓𝟐 𝐏𝟐 𝐤 𝐓𝟏 𝐓𝟐
= 𝐤−𝟏
= 𝐤−𝟏
𝐓𝟏 𝐏𝟏
𝐏𝟏 𝐤 𝐏𝟐 𝐤

 For isentropic compression (1 to 2) & expansion (3 to 4):

𝐤−𝟏 𝐤−𝟏
𝐓𝟐 𝐏𝟐 𝐤 𝐏𝟑 𝐤 𝐓𝟑
= = =
𝐓𝟏 𝐏𝟏 𝐏𝟒 𝐓𝟒

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Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
 Pressure ratio:
𝐩𝟐
𝐫𝐩 =
𝐩𝟏
𝐤−𝟏
𝐓𝟐 𝐤−𝟏 𝐓𝟑 𝐤
= 𝐫𝐩 𝐤 = 𝐫𝐩
𝐓𝟏 𝐓𝟒

𝐤−𝟏 𝐤−𝟏
𝐓𝟐 = 𝐓𝟏 𝐫𝐩 𝐤 𝐓𝟑 = 𝐓𝟒 𝐫𝐩 𝐤

 Back work ratio (bwr)

𝐰𝐜 𝐡𝟐 − 𝐡𝟏 𝐜𝐩 (𝐓𝟐 − 𝐓𝟏 )
𝐛𝐰𝐫 = = =
𝐰𝐭 𝐡𝟑 − 𝐡𝟒 𝐜𝐩 (𝐓𝟑 − 𝐓𝟒 )

Bwr for gas turbine cycle is nearly 50% of the turbine work

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 Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
 The efficiency of gas turbine
In combustion chamber:
𝐪𝐢𝐧 = 𝐡𝟑 − 𝐡𝟐 = 𝐜𝐩 (𝐓𝟑 − 𝐓𝟐 )
Exhaust process:
𝐪𝐨𝐮𝐭 = 𝐡𝟒 − 𝐡𝟏 = 𝐜𝐩 (𝐓𝟒 − 𝐓𝟏 )

𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐪𝐢𝐧 − 𝐪𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐪𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐩 𝐓𝟒 − 𝐓𝟏

ɳ 𝐭𝐡, 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐨𝐧 = = =𝟏− =𝟏−
𝐪𝐢𝐧 𝐪𝐢𝐧 𝐪𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐩 𝐓𝟑 − 𝐓𝟐

𝐓𝟒
𝐓𝟏 −𝟏 𝟏
𝐓𝟏
ɳ 𝐭𝐡, 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐨𝐧 = 𝟏 − =𝟏−
𝐓𝟑 𝐤−𝟏
𝐓𝟐 −𝟏 𝐫𝐩 𝐤
𝐓𝟐

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Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
 k (specific heat ratio) is taken as constant throughout for air.
The thermal efficiency then depends totally on the pressure
ratio.
 The highest temperature in the cycle is at end of the
combustion process. It is only limited by the metalurgical
limit of the blade material.
 The net work increases with the pressure ratio to a max then
falls back.

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Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
Deviation of actual gas turbine cycles from idealized ones
 Reasons
a. Pressure drops
b. Irreversibilities in turbine and compressors
c. Heat losses
 Isentropic efficiency of the compressor

𝐰𝐬 𝐡𝟐𝐬 − 𝐡𝟏
𝛈𝐂 = =
𝐰𝐚 𝐡𝟐𝐚 − 𝐡𝟏

 Isentropic efficiency of the turbine

𝐰𝐚 𝐡𝟑 − 𝐡𝟒𝐚
𝛈𝐓 = =
𝐰𝐬 𝐡𝟑 − 𝐡𝟒𝐬

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Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
 Advantages of gas turbine
a. High power to weight ratio as used in aircraft power plant
b. Quick start operation (as in power generation)
c. Can be operated on liquid or gaseous fuel
d. Can be coupled with a vapor power cycle for greater thermal efficiency
 Disadvantages of gas turbine
a. Low thermal efficiency (high operational cost)
b. High startup cost in power generation industry
c. High maintenance cost

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Simple Gas Turbine Plant : Brayton Cycle
Exercise - March 2016
A gas turbine has a pressure of 10 to 1 and the maximum cycle temperature is 1500 oC . The
isentropic efficiencies of the compressor and turbine are 90% and 95% respectively. The
value of cp=1.005 kJ/kg.K and ɣ=1.4 are constant throughout the cycle. If the air enters the
compressor at 30 oC and a rate of 30 kg/s, sketch a T-s diagram and determine:
i. The net work of the cycle (kW) (15033.15 kW)
ii. The back work ratio (0.386)
iii. The thermal efficiency (%) (43.11)

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Improving cycle performance: REGENERATION,
Intercooling and Reheating
a) Regeneration
 The temperature of the exhaust gas leaving the turbine is often
considerably higher than the temperature of the air leaving the
compressor.
 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, 𝛈𝐭𝐡 of the Brayton cycle increases due to
regeneration since less fuel is used for the same work output.

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Improving cycle performance: REGENERATION,
Intercooling and Reheating

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Improving cycle performance: REGENERATION,
Intercooling and Reheating
 𝐪𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧,𝐚𝐜𝐭 = 𝐡𝟓 − 𝐡𝟐

 𝐪𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧,𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝐡𝟓 ′ − 𝐡𝟐 = 𝐡𝟒 − 𝐡𝟐

 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬,
𝐪𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧,𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝟓 − 𝐡𝟐 𝐓𝟓 − 𝐓𝟐
𝛜= = = (𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐩 𝐚𝐢𝐫 = 𝐜𝐩 𝐠𝐚𝐬 )
𝐪𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧,𝐦𝐚𝐱 𝐡𝟒 − 𝐡𝟐 𝐓𝟒 − 𝐓𝟐

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Improving cycle performance: REGENERATION,
Intercooling and Reheating
Exercise - Sept 2015
A single – stage gas turbine engine with regeneration operates between 300 K and 1200 K. The gas enters
the compressor inlet at 100 kPa with a pressure ratio across the compressor and turbine is 4. The
efficiencies of the compressor and turbine are 80% and 90% respectively, and the effectiveness of the
regenerator is 70 %.
Sketch the cycle on a T-s diagram and determine:
i. Back work ratio (0.52)
ii. The mass flow rate of the gas if the power output is 100 MW (kg/s) (281.68 kg/s)
iii. The heat rejection to the atmosphere (MW) (82.56 MW)

(The value of cp=1.005 kJ/kg.K and R=0.287 kJ/kg.K are constant throughout the cycle)

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Improving cycle performance: Regeneration,
INTERCOOLING and Reheating
b) Multistage compression with intercooling
 Modification of basic cycle to reduce the work input at the
compressor.
 Can be achieved through multistage compression with intercooling
in between.
 How the work input is reduced?
 1AC – single-stage compression
 1B – the theoretical compression
and instantaneous cooling
 1ABD – two stage-compression with intercooling

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Improving cycle performance: Regeneration,
INTERCOOLING and Reheating
b) Multistage compression with intercooling
 On a T-s diagram,
 Heat removal during intercooling
 Pressure 2-3 is known as intercooling pressure /
intermediate pressure
 For minimum w comp then ideally T1 = T3
 Total w comp is now smaller
 w comp = w12 + w34

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Improving cycle performance: Regeneration,
INTERCOOLING and Reheating
Exercise - March 2015
A gas turbine has two stages of compression with an intercooler between the stages. Air enters the
first stage at 120 kPa, 350 K, the pressure ratio across each compressor stage is 6 to 1 each stage has
an isentropic efficiency of 80%. Air exits the intercooler at 380 K. The maximum cycle temperature is
1800 K and the cycle has a single turbine stage with an isentropic efficiency of 85%. The cycle also
includes a regenerator with an effectiveness of 0.7. Assuming the working fluid to be air throughout
the cycle, calculate:
i. The temperature of the gas leaving the regenerator (K) (734.15 K)
ii. The mass flow rate of the air if the power output is 30 MW (kg/s) (80.59 kg/s)
iii. The work ratio (0.622)
iv. The cycle thermal efficiency (%) (36.42%)

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Improving cycle performance: Regeneration,
Intercooling and REHEATING
c) Multistage expansion with reheating
 Compressed air is supplied in excess amount, more
than required for combustion.
 Excess air is used to burn extra fuel in reheat
combustion chamber (RCC) raising the energy for
second stage expansion in turbine.
 Extra w turbine is produced.

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Improving cycle performance: Regeneration,
Intercooling and REHEATING
c) Multistage expansion with reheating
 On a T-s diagram,
 Pressure 7-8 known as intermediate pressure
𝐏𝟔 𝐏𝟖
 For max w turbine then =
𝐏𝟕 𝐏𝟗

 Total w turbine is now larger

 w turbine = w67 + w89

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c) Multistage expansion with reheating
THE BRAYTON CYCLE WITH INTERCOOLING, REHEATING AND REGENERATION

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Improving cycle performance: Regeneration,
Intercooling and REHEATING
c) Multistage expansion with reheating
Exercise - March 2012
A gas turbine generating set has a high pressure (HP) turbine where it is used to drive the compressor and a low pressure (LP)
turbine drives the generator. The air is drawn into the compressor at 100 kPa and 25oC. The pressure after compression and the
HP turbine is 720 and 400 kPa, respectively. The gases leave the combustion chamber at 1100oC and reheated to 1100oC after
expansion in the HP turbine. The isentropic efficiency of the compressor is 80% and for both turbines is 85%. An exhaust heat
exchanger is used with a thermal ratio of 0.8.
Illustrate a diagram of the plant, complete with a numbered on T-s diagram and determine:
i. The cycle efficiency (48.12%)
ii. The work ratio (0.49)
iii. The mass flow rate (kg/s) when 6500 kW electrical output obtained (16.55 kg/s)
Air: k=1.4, Cp =1.005 kJ/kg.K
Gas: k=1.333, Cp =1.15 kJ/kg.K

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Improving cycle performance: Regeneration,
Intercooling and REHEATING
c) Multistage expansion
Exercise - Sept 2014
A marine gas turbine with regeneration operates with single stage of compression and two stages of expansion. The
overall pressure ratio is 5/1, the maximum temperature is 700oC and the air intake conditions are 101 kPa and 25oC.
A high pressure turbine drives the compressor and a low pressure turbine drives the propeller through suitable
gearing. The gas mass flow rate is 50 kg/s and the isentropic efficiencies of the compressor and both stages of
turbine are 0.80. Neglecting kinetic energy changes and the pressure loss during the combustion process, calculate:
i. The intermediate – stage pressure of the turbine (kPa) (160.41 kPa)
ii. The thermal efficiency of the cycle if the effectiveness of the regenerator is 0.70 (21.9 %)
iii. The difference of thermal efficiency if the ideal regenerator is used (3.7%)
(The value of cp=1.005 kJ/kg.K and k=1.4 are constant throughout the cycle)

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End
See you in -

Chapter 6: Gas Powered

Cycles: Internal Combustion
Engine

Referance:
1) Thermodynamics: An Engineering
Approach, Y.A. Cengel and M.A.
Boles, McGraw-Hill, 7th Edition,
2011.
2) Amalina Halidi, Lecture Notes,
MEC251
3) Nor Azirah Binti Mohd Fohimi,
Lecture Notes, MEC251

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