Gas Turbine Power Plant

1.2 Introduction
Gas turbines are thermodynamic systems that use fuel and air to produce a
positive work transfer. They convert the chemical potential energy of the
fuel to mechanical energy. The gas turbine operates on an open cycle
consisting of a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine combined in series,
as shown in figure (1-2). Air from the atmosphere enters the compressor
where it is compressed by a negative shaft work transfer. The compressed
air is then combined and burned with fuel in the combustion chamber.

Fig.1-2: Components of a Basic Gas Turbine Engine

The combustor increases both the temperature and the specific volume of
the air. The hot air is then fed into the turbine where it is expanded. The
expansion of the air creates a positive shaft work transfer. The expanded
air is then exhausted to the atmosphere. A net positive shaft work transfer
is produced because the negative shaft work transfer required to power the
compressor is less than the positive work transfer produced by the turbine.
2.2 Classification of Gas Turbine
The gas turbine power plants which are used in electric power industry are
classified into two groups as per the cycle of operation:
(a) Open cycle gas turbine.
(b) Closed cycle gas turbine.

1
2.2.1 Open Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant
A simple open cycle gas turbine consists of a compressor, combustion
chamber and a turbine as shown in figure (2-2). The compressor takes in
ambient air and raises its pressure. Heat is added to the air in combustion
chamber by burning the fuel and raises its temperature.

Fig.2-2: Open cycle gas turbine

The heated gases coming out of combustion chamber are then passed to the
turbine where it expands doing mechanical work. Part of the power
developed by the turbine is utilized in driving the compressor and other
accessories and remaining is used for power generation. Since ambient air
enters into the compressor and gases coming out of turbine are exhausted
into the atmosphere, the working medium must be replaced continuously.
This type of cycle is known as open cycle gas turbine plant and is mainly
used in majority of gas turbine power plants as it has many inherent
advantages.
- Advantages:
1. Warm-up time. Once the turbine is brought up to the rated speed by the
starting motor and the fuel is ignited, the gas turbine will be accelerated
from cold start to full load without warm-up time.
2. Low weight and size. The weight in kg per kW developed is less.

2
3. Fuel. Almost any hydrocarbon fuel from high-octane gasoline to heavy
diesel oils can be used in the combustion chamber.
4. Open cycle plants occupy comparatively little space.
5. The stipulation of a quick start and take-up of load frequently are the
points in favor of open cycle plant when the plant is used as peak load
plant.
6. Component or auxiliary refinements can usually be varied to improve
the thermal efficiency and give the most economical overall cost for the
plant load factors and other operating conditions envisaged.
7. Open-cycle gas turbine power plant, except those having an intercooler,
does not require cooling water. Therefore, the plant is independent of
cooling medium and becomes self-contained.
- Disadvantages
1. The part load efficiency of the open cycle plant decreases rapidly as the
considerable percent-age of power developed by the turbine is used to drive
the compressor.
2. The system is sensitive to the component efficiency; particularly that of
compressor. The open cycle plant is sensitive to changes in the atmospheric
air temperature, pressure and humidity.
3. The open-cycle gas turbine plant has high air rate compared to the other
cycles, therefore, it results in increased loss of heat in the exhaust gases
and large diameter ductwork is necessary.
4. It is essential that the dust should be prevented from entering into the
compressor in order to minimize erosion and depositions on the blades and
passages of the compressor and turbine and so impairing their profile and
efficiency. The deposition of the carbon and ash on the turbine blades is
not at all desirable as it also reduces the efficiency of the turbine.

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2.2.2 Closed Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant
In case of a closed cycle gas turbine, a fixed mass of working substance is
allowed to flow inside the cycle. The working substance, i.e., air or gases,
is confined inside the plant and it never leaves the plant.
Hence, the gas turbine is said to be a closed cycle. Figure (3-2) shows the
system diagram of a simple closed cycle gas turbine plant. It consists of a
compressor, heater, gas turbine, and a cooler.

Fig.3-2: Closed Cycle Gas Turbine

The compressor shaft and turbine shaft are coupled for the transfer of
power. The working substance is compressed by the compressor.
- Advantages
1. The inherent disadvantage of open cycle gas turbine is the atmospheric
backpressure at the turbine exhaust. With closed cycle gas turbine plants,
the backpressure can be increased. Due to the control on backpressure, unit
rating can be increased about in proportion to the backpressure. Therefore
the machine can be smaller and cheaper than the machine used to develop
the same power using open cycle plant.
2. The closed cycle avoids erosion of the turbine blades due to the
contaminated gases and fouling of compressor blades due to dust.

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Therefore, it is practically free from deterioration of efficiency in service.
The absence of corrosion and abrasion of the interiors of the compressor
and turbine extends the life of the plant and maintains the efficiency of the
plant constant throughout its life as they are kept free from the products of
combustion.
3. The need for filtration of the incoming air which is a severe problem in
open cycle plant is completely eliminated.
4. Load variation is usually obtained by varying the absolute pressure and
mass flow of the circulating medium, while the pressure ratio, the
temperatures and the air velocities remain almost constant. This result in
velocity ratio in the compressor and turbine independent of the load and
full load thermal efficiency maintained over the full range of operating
loads.
5. The density of the working medium can be maintained high by
increasing internal pressure range, therefore, the compressor and turbine
are smaller for their rated output. The high density of the working fluid
further increases the heat transfer properties in the heat exchanger.
6. As indirect heating is used in closed cycle plant, the inferior oil or solid
fuel can be used in the furnace and these fuels can be used more
economically because these are available in abundance.
7. Finally the closed cycle opens the new field for the use of working
medium (other than air as argon, CO2, helium) having more desirable
properties. The ratio γ of the working fluid plays an important role in
determining the performance of the gas turbine plant. An increase in γ from
1.4 to 1.67 (for argon) can bring about a large increase in output per kg of
fluid circulated and thermal efficiency of the plant.
8. The maintenance cost is low and reliability is high due to longer useful
life.

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9. The thermal efficiency increases as the pressure ratio (Rp) decreases.
Therefore, appreciable higher thermal efficiencies are obtainable with
closed cycle for the same maximum and minimum temperature limits as
with the open cycle plant.
10. Starting of plane is simplified by reducing the pressure to atmospheric
or even below atmosphere so that the power required for starting purposes
is reduced considerably.
- Disadvantages
1. The system is dependent on external means as considerable quantity of
cooling water is required in the pre-cooler.
2. Higher internal pressures involve complicated design of all components
and high quality material is required which increases the cost of the plant.
3. The response to the load variations is poor compared to the open-cycle
plant.
4. It requires very big heat-exchangers as the heating of workings fluid is
done indirectly. The space required for the heat exchanger is considerably
large. The full heat of the fuel is also not used in this plant.
The closed cycle is only preferable over open cycle where the inferior type
of fuel or solid fuel is to be used and ample cooling water is available at
the proposed site of the plant.
However, closed cycle gas turbine plants have not as yet been used for
electricity production.
This is mainly a consequence of the limitations imposed by the unit size of
heat exchanger. The use of a large number of parallel heat exchangers
would practically eliminate the economic advantage resulting from
increased plant size.

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3.2 Theory operation of a Gas Turbine (Brayton Cycle):
Brayton cycle, popularly used for gas turbine power plants comprises of
adiabatic compression process, constant pressure heat addition, adiabatic
expansion process and constant pressure heat release process.
A schematic diagram for air-standard Brayton cycle is shown in figure
(4-2) Simple gas turbine power plant working on Brayton cycle is also
shown here

Fig.4-2: Brayton cycle on P–V and T–S diagram

Thermodynamic cycle shows following processes:

1-2 : Adiabatic compression, involving (–ve) work, WC in compressor.
2-3 : Constant pressure heat addition, involving heat Qadd in combustion
chamber or heat exchanger.
3-4 : Adiabatic expansion, involving (+ve) work, WT in turbine.
4-1 : Constant pressure heat rejection, involving heat, Qrejected in
atmosphere or heat exchanger.
In the gas turbine plant layout shown process 1–2 (adiabatic compression)
is seen to occur in compressor, heat addition process 2–3 occurs in
combustion chamber having open type arrangement and in heat exchanger
in closed type arrangement. Process 3–4 of adiabatic expansion occurs in
turbine.
In open type arrangement exhaust from turbine is discharged to atmosphere
while in closed type, heat rejection occurs in heat exchanger. In gas turbine
plant of open type, air entering compressor gets compressed and

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subsequently brought up to elevated temperature in combustion chamber
where fuel is added to high pressure air and combustion occurs. High
pressure and high temperature combustion products are sent for expansion
in turbine where its’ expansion yields positive work. Expanded combustion
products are subsequently discharged to atmosphere. Negative work
required for compression is drawn from the positive work available from
turbine and residual positive work is available as shaft work for driving
generator.
In gas turbine plant of closed type the working fluid is recycled and
performs different processes without getting contaminated. Working fluid
is compressed in compressor and subsequently heated up in heat exchanger
through indirect heating. High pressure and high temperature working fluid
is sent for getting positive work from turbine and the expanded working
fluid leaving turbine is passed through heat exchanger where heat is picked
up from working fluid. Thus, the arrangement shows that even costly
working fluids can also be used in closed type as it remains uncontaminated
and is being recycled.
Air standard analysis of Brayton cycle gives work for compression and
expansion as;
𝑊𝐶 = 𝑚1 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) (1-2)
𝑊𝑇 = 𝑚3 (ℎ3 − ℎ4 ) (2-2)
For air standard analysis, m1 = m3 , where as in actual cycle :
- in open type gas turbine 𝑚3 = 𝑚1 + 𝑚𝑓 (3-2)
- in closed type gas turbine 𝑚3 = 𝑚1 (3-2)
For the fuel having calorific value CV the heat added in air standard
cycle;
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 𝑚1 (ℎ3 − ℎ2 ) (4-2)
Whereas Qadd for actual cycle is 𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 𝑚𝑓 × 𝐶𝑉 (5-2)

8
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝑊𝑇 − 𝑊𝐶 (6-2)
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = {𝑚3 (ℎ3 − ℎ4 ) − 𝑚1 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) } (7-2)

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡
Air standard cycle efficiency =
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑑

𝑚1 {(ℎ3 − ℎ4 ) − (ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) }
=
𝑚1 (ℎ3 − ℎ2 )

(ℎ4 −ℎ1 )
𝜂𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑡𝑜𝑛 = {1 − (ℎ3 −ℎ2 )
} (8-2)

(𝑇4 − 𝑇1 )
𝜂𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑡𝑜𝑛 = {1 − } (9-2)
(𝑇3 − 𝑇2 )

As (ℎ4 − ℎ1 ) = 𝐶𝑃 (𝑇4 − 𝑇1 ) (10-2)

And (ℎ3 − ℎ2 ) = 𝐶𝑃 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 ) (11-2)
For processes 1–2 and 3–4, which are of isentropic type,
(𝛾−1) (𝛾−1)
𝑇2 𝑃2 𝛾 𝑇3 𝑃2 𝛾
= ( ) and = ( ) (12-2)
𝑇1 𝑃1 𝑇4 𝑃1

𝑃2
Let the pressure ratio be, ( ) = 𝑟 (13-2)
𝑃1

Substituting the value of r from equation (13-2) into equations (12-2), we

get on :
(𝛾−1) (𝛾−1)
𝑇2 𝑇3
= 𝑟 𝛾 and = 𝑟 𝛾 (14-2)
𝑇1 𝑇4

So,
𝑇2 𝑇3
= (15-2)
𝑇1 𝑇4
𝑇4 𝑇3
= (16-2)
𝑇1 𝑇2

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 𝑇4 −𝑇1 𝑇3 −𝑇2
= (17-2)
𝑇1 𝑇2

(𝛾−1)
𝑇4 −𝑇1 𝑇1 𝑃1 𝛾
= =( ) (18-2)
𝑇3 −𝑇2 𝑇2 𝑃2
𝑇4 −𝑇1
Making substitution for in cycle efficiency:
𝑇3 −𝑇2
(𝛾−1)
(𝑇1 ) 𝑃1 𝛾 1
𝜂𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑡𝑜𝑛 = {1 − }=1− ( ) =1− 𝛾−1
( 𝑇2 ) 𝑃2
𝑟 𝛾

Air standard Brayton cycle efficiency:

1
𝜂𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 1 − 𝛾−1 (19-2)
𝑟 𝛾

Thus, it is obvious from the expression of efficiency that it depends only

on pressure ratio (r) and nature of gas (γ). For pressure ratio of unity,
efficiency shall be zero. For a particular gas the cycle efficiency increases
with increasing pressure ratio.

4.2 Gas Turbine Components

4.2.1 Compressors

Compressors are an example of negative shaft work machines. They

increase both the temperature and pressure of the working fluid. Increasing
the pressure of the fluid requires a negative shaft work transfer. This work
transfer was characterized by equation (2-2).

Most compressors can be considered adiabatic because the fluid is in the

machine for a short time relative to the time necessary for the fluid to reach
thermal equilibrium. Therefore there is virtually no heat transfer.
Assuming that the compressor operates adiabatically and reversibly, the
second law of thermodynamics becomes;

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 𝑇2 𝑃2
𝑆2 − 𝑆1 = 𝐶𝑃 ln − 𝑅 ln =0 (20-2)
𝑇1 𝑃1

Given an initial temperature and pressure and the pressure ratio of the
compressor, the reversible exit temperature, T2R, can be calculated by
rearranging equation (20-2):
(𝛾−1)
𝑃 𝛾
𝑇2𝑅 = (𝑃2) 𝑇1 (21-2)
1

Where γ is the ratio of specific heat at constant pressure, Cp, to specific

heat at constant volume, C. For air this ratio is 1.4.

Once the reversible outlet temperature is known, the shaft work transfer for
the reversible operation of the compressor can be calculated equation
(1-2). The compressor efficiency 𝜂𝐶 , is the ratio of the work transfer
required for reversible operation, Wrev, to the actual work transfer, Wact.
For an ideal gas, enthalpy is the product of specific heat at constant
pressure, Cp, and temperature. The efficiency becomes:

𝑊̇𝑟𝑒𝑣 𝑚̇𝐶𝑃 (𝑇2𝑅 −𝑇1 ) (𝑇2𝑅 −𝑇1 )

𝜂𝐶 = = = (22-2)
𝑊̇𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑚̇𝐶𝑃 (𝑇2 −𝑇1 ) (𝑇2 −𝑇1 )

4.2.2 Turbines

Turbines are an example of positive shaft work machines. They decrease

both the temperature and pressure of the working fluid. This decrease
creates a positive work transfer. This work transfer was described by
equation (2-2), and the turbine can be considered adiabatic for the same
reasons as the compressor. Assuming that the turbine operates adiabatically
and reversibly, analysis of the second law gives the following equation for
the reversible turbine exit temperature:
(𝛾−1)
𝑃 𝛾
𝑇4𝑅 = (𝑃4) 𝑇3 (23-2)
3

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Once the reversible outlet temperature is known, the shaft work transfer for
the reversible operation of the turbine can be calculated equation (2-2). The
turbine efficiency 𝜂 𝑇 , is the ratio of the actual work transfer Wact, to the
work transfer required for reversible operation, Wrev. For an ideal gas the
turbine efficiency becomes;

𝑊̇𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑚̇𝐶𝑃 (𝑇4 −𝑇3 ) (𝑇4 −𝑇3 )

𝜂𝑇 = = = (24-2)
𝑊̇𝑟𝑒𝑣 𝑚̇𝐶𝑃 (𝑇4𝑅 −𝑇3 ) (𝑇4𝑅 −𝑇3 )

4.2.3Combustion Chambers

The combustion chamber is the component of the gas turbine in which the
fuel is combined with the air from the compressor and burned. The
combustion chamber functions like a heat exchanger and can be modeled
as a constant pressure device. The combustion process raises the
temperature of the air in the system by converting the chemical potential
energy of the reactants to thermal energy. There is no work transfer
involved in the reaction. Therefore, the first law of thermodynamics for
steady flow operation of the combustion chamber becomes;

̇ ) − ∑(𝑚ℎ
𝑄̇ = ∑(𝑚ℎ ̇ ) (25-2)
𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛

However when the fuel is burned inside the chamber the chemical reaction
that takes place changes the state of the air and the fuel .It is necessary to
analyze the first law for the combustion chamber in terms of the reactants
and products of the combustion reaction. The first law for the combustion
reaction becomes;

̇ ̅) − ∑
𝑄̇ = ∑prod (𝑛 ℎ ̇̅
react (𝑛 ℎ) (26-2)

Where 𝑛̇ is the flow rate of the individual reactants and products in mols
per second. The enthalpies of each product and reactant are determined by
the sum of the enthalpy of formation at standard temperature and pressure,

12
ℎ̅ 𝑇 𝑜,𝑃 and the enthalpy required to raise the compound from the standard
temperature of 25°C to the desired temperature, (ℎ̅ 𝑇,𝑃 − ℎ̅25𝑜𝐶,1 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚 );

ℎ̅ = ℎ̅ 𝑇 𝑜 ,𝑃 + (ℎ̅ 𝑇,𝑃 − ℎ̅25𝑜𝐶,1 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚 ) (27-2)

For a gas turbine running on propane, the following reaction occurs in the
combustion chamber;

C3 H8 + 5O2 + 5(3.76)N2 ⟹ 3CO2 + 4H2 O + 5(3.76)N2

Propane is mixed with stoichiometric air and burned to form carbon-

dioxide and water. The nitrogen does not react with the other compounds,
but it does exit the combustion chamber at a higher temperature than it
entered. It is important to note that some oxygen may remain unburned
and appears on the product side of the reaction. This means that the engine
is running lean because there is a low ratio of fuel to air.

5.2 Mechanism of working gas turbines

The gas turbine consists of an axial compressor, a combustion system and

a turbine figure (5-2). The pertinent input variables are fuel flow (Wf) and
air flow (Wa).The pertinent output variables are mechanical power output
(Pm) and the exhaust heat to the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) as
determined by the exhaust gas flow (Wx) and temperature (Tx).

Fig.5-2: Gas Turbine and Pertinent Variables.

The exhaust gas flow is practically equal to the air flow since the fuel flow
is much smaller than the air flow. The fuel flow and air flow are adjusted

13
to provide desired power output while maintaining the desired level of
exhaust temperature for efficient heat transfer to the HRSG. Air flow may
be regulated by inlet guide vanes (IGV) and is also a function of ambient
air temperature (Ta), pressure (Pa) and shaft speed (ω).

The air flow (Wa) equation includes the ambient factor, q (Ta, Pa), which
represents the effects of the ambient temperature (Ta in, oK) and the
atmospheric pressure (Pa), where Ta =288 oK and Pao= 1 atmosphere.

The air flow depends on the shaft speed (ω) through the temperature-
corrected speed (ωc). The air flow speed factor (u) with parameters A0 , Al
and A2 approximates the effects of the temperature-corrected speed (ωc).
The air flow speed factor and temperature-corrected speed are both
dimensionless quantities. They relate, respectively, the speed of the air and
the speed of the compressor blades to the speed of sound. The air flow can
be adjusted by changing the angular position (OIGV) of the inlet guide
vanes. Their effect can be represented with the sine function. The
parameter (ϴmax) is the maximum angle the IGVS can attain.(ϴ0) is a
parameter dependent on the IGV geometry. The good fit verifies that the
air flow equations of figure (6 -2) are a good mode.

Fig .6-2: Gas Turbine Thermodynamics Equations

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6.2 Regeneration and Reheating

Generally, the thermal efficiency of the simple open cycle is only about 16
to 23% as lot of heat energy goes waste in the exhaust gases. Moreover the
cycle efficiency directly depends upon the temperature of the inlet gases to
the turbine. And as the metallurgical limitations do not permit the use of
temperatures higher than about 1000°C, a sizeable increase in efficiency
cannot be expected through the increased temperature of the gases. Of
course, this efficiency handicap can be overcome by incorporating thermal
refinements in the simple open cycle e.g. regeneration, reheating. But the
plant will become complex in contrast to the simple open cycle plant which
is compact, occupies very little space, does not need any water and can be
quickly run up from cold. The thermal refinements can raise the plant
efficiency to over 30% and thereby obliterate the advantage of fuel
efficiency possessed by diesel or condensing steam power plants. These
refinements are discussed below:

6.2.1 Regeneration

In regeneration, the heat energy from the exhaust gases is transferred to the
compressed air before it enters the combustion chamber. Therefore, by this
process there will be a saving in fuel used in the combustion chamber if the
same final temperature of the combustion gases is to be attained and also

there will be a reduction of waste heat, figure (7-2), shows a regenerative

cycle.

Fig.7-2: Regenerative cycle.

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For regeneration to take place T5 should be greater than T2.

In the heat exchanger, the temperature of air is increased from T2 to T3, and
the temperature of the exhaust gases is reduced from T5 to T6. If the
regeneration is perfect, the air would be heated to the temperature of the
exhaust gases entering the H.E. the effectiveness of the regeneration is
defined as:

𝜺 = 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔

Rise in air temperature T3 −T2

= = (28-2)
Max.possible rise T5 −T2

For ideal regeneration, T3 = T5 and T6 = T2

The common values of effectiveness would be from 70 to 85%. The heating

surface of the generator, as well as the dimensions and price of the gas
turbine increases with the regeneration fraction.

But to justify the regeneration economically, the effectiveness should at

least be 50%. The regenerative cycle has higher efficiency than the simple
cycle only at low-pressure ratios. If the pressure ratio is raised above a
certain limit, then the regenerator will cool the compressed air entering the
combustion chamber instead of heating it and the efficiency of the
regenerative cycle drops. This is clear from figure (8-2).

Fig.8-2: Efficiency of the regenerative cycle

16
However, the heat to be supplied in the combustion chamber is reduced
and also it is added at higher temperature as compared to the cycle without
regeneration. Thus, the thermal efficiency of the cycle increases. It will be
equal to,

𝑪𝑷 (𝑻𝟒 −𝑻𝟓 )−𝑪𝑷 (𝑻𝟐 −𝑻𝟏 )

𝜼𝒕 = (29-2)
𝑪𝑷 (𝑻𝟒 −𝑻𝟑 )

For ideal regeneration, T3= T5

(𝑇 −𝑇1 )
𝜂𝑡 = 1 − [(𝑇2 ] (30-2)
4 −𝑇5 )

This equation will get reduced to,

𝑇 1 (𝐾−1)⁄
𝜂𝑡 = 1 − [( 1 ) ∙ ( ) ∙ (𝑟𝑃 ) 𝐾] (31-2)
𝑇4 𝜂𝑎𝑐 ∙𝜂𝑎𝑡

For ideal open cycle, ηac= ηat= 1 , will get:

𝑇 (𝐾−1)⁄
𝜂𝑡 = 1 − [( 1 ) ∙ (𝑟𝑃 ) 𝐾] (32-2)
𝑇4

The regenerator should be designed properly to avoid any substantial.

Pressure loss in it, which might cancel out any gain in thermal efficiency.
Because of some pressure loss in the regenerator, the turbine output and
the net output will be slightly less than for the simple cycle.

6.2.2 Reheating

In reheat cycle, the combustion gases are not expanded in one turbine only
but in two turbines. The exhaust of the high-pressure turbine is reheated in
a reheated and then expanded in a low-pressure turbine. By reheating, the
power output of the turbine is increased but the cost of additional fuel may
be heavy unless a heat exchanger is also used. A reheat cycle is shown in

17
figure (9-2).Considering the adiabatic expansions, the total work done in
the two turbines will be equal to: (I3– I4a) + (I5– I6a)

If the combustion gases were expanded in one turbine only down to point
7 a for the same pressure ratio, then the work output would have been:
(I3– I7a). Now the constant pressure lines on the H-Φ chart diverge away
from the origin and converge towards the origin.

Fig. 9-2: A reheat cycle

Therefore the line 5–6 a will be greater than 4a–7a. Hence reheating
increases the power output. By reheating, the average temperature of heat
addition is raised resulting in higher output and efficiency of the cycle. If
reheat cycle is to be adopted then the pressure ratio must be high as at low
pressure ratios, the thermal efficiency is lowered by reheating figure
(10-2).

Fig.10-2: Reheat cycle & the pressure ratio

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Reheating reduces the airflow through the cycle resulting in decreased
input to the compressor. For ideal reheating; the working fluid temperature
after reheating is equal to the maximum permissible turbine inlet
temperature. That is, T5= T3:

The efficiency of the cycle will be given as,

(𝑇3 −𝑇4 )+(𝑇5 −𝑇6 )−(𝑇2 −𝑇1 )

𝜂𝑡 = (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )−(𝑇5 −𝑇4 )
(33-2)

7.2 Combined Cycle Power Plants

It has been found that a considerable amount of heat energy goes as a waste
with the exhaust of the gas turbine. This energy must be utilized. The
complete use of the energy available to a system is called the total energy
approach. The objective of this approach is to use all of the heat energy in
a power system at the different temperature levels at which it becomes
available to produce work, or steam, or the heating of air or water, thereby
rejecting a minimum of energy waste. The best approach is the use of
combined cycles.

There may be various combinations of the combined cycles depending

upon the place or country requirements. Even nuclear power plant may be
used in the combined cycles.

Figure (11-2) shows a combination of an open cycle gas turbine and steam
turbine. The exhaust of gas turbine which has high oxygen content is used
as the inlet gas to the steam generator where the combustion of additional
fuel takes place.

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 Fig.11-2: Combined Cycle (Co-generation).

This combination allows nearer equality between the power outputs of the
two units than is obtained with the simple recuperative heat exchanger. For
a given total power output the energy input is reduced (i.e., saving in fuel)
and the installed cost of gas turbine per unit of power output is about one-
fourth of that of steam turbine. In other words, the combination cycles
exhibit higher efficiency. The greater disadvantages include the
complexity of the plant, different fuel requirements and possible loss of
flexibility and reliability. The most recent technology in the field of co-
generation developed in USA utilizes the gaseous fuel in the combustion
chambers produced by the gasification of low quality of coal. The system
is efficient and the cost of power production per kW is less.

8.2 Applications of Gas Turbine

1. Gas turbine plants are used as standby plants for the hydro-electric
power plants.
2. Gas turbine power plants may be used as peak loads plant and
standby plants for smaller power units.
3. Gas turbines are used in jet aircrafts and ships. Pulverized fuel fired
plants are used in locomotive.

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9.2 Advantages of Gas Turbine Power Plant

The economics of power generation by gas turbines is proving to be more

attractive, due to low capital cost, and high reliability and flexibility in
operation. Quick starting and capability of using wide variety of fuels from
natural gas to residual oil or powdered coal are other outstanding features
of gas turbine power plants. Major progress has been made in three
directions namely increase in unit capacities of gas turbine units
(50—100 MW), increase in their efficiency and drop in capital cost, (about

Rs. 700 per kW installed). Primary application of gas turbine plant is to

supply peak load. However gas turbine plants now-a-days are universally
used as peak load, base lead as well as standby plants.

1. It is smaller in size and weight as compared to an equivalent steam

power plant. For smaller capacities the size of the gas turbine power
plant is appreciably greater than a high speed diesel engine plant but
for larger capacities it is smaller in size than a comparable diesel
engine plant. If size and weight are the main consideration such as in
ships, aircraft engines and locomotives, gas turbines are more suitable.
2. The initial cost and operating cost of the plant is lower than an
equivalent steam power plant. A thermal plant of 250 MW capacity
cost about Rs. 250 crores. Presently whereas a gas turbine plant of that
same-size cost nearly 70 crores.
3. The plant requires less water as compared to a condensing steam
power plant.
4. The plant can be started quickly, and can be put on load in a very short
time.
5. There are no standby losses in the gas turbine power plant whereas in
steam power plant these losses occur because boiler is kept in
operation even when the turbine is not supplying any load.
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6. The maintenance of the plant is easier and maintenance cost is low.
7. The lubrication of the plant is easy. In this plant lubrication is needed
mainly in compressor, turbine main bearing and bearings of auxiliary
equipment.
8. The plant does not require heavy foundations and building.
9. There is great simplification of the plant over a steam plant due to the
absence of boilers with their feed water evaporator and condensing
system.

10.2 Disadvantages of Gas Turbine Power Plant

1. Major part of the work developed in the turbine is used to derive

the compressor. Therefore, network output of the plant is low.
2. Since the temperature of the products of combustion becomes too
high so service conditions become complicated even at moderate
pressures.

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