A gas turbine is a type of power plant combustion engine that can convert natural gas or other liquid fuels into mechanical energy. Learn more about the working principle of gas turbines, their uses, and compressors and combustor types in this blog.
The Working Principle of a Gas Turbine
Intake, compression, expansion, and exhaust cycles are all present in any gas turbine. The compressor compresses the air in each gas turbine type before driving it through the combustion engine, which is a fundamental principle of gas turbine operation. For high-temperature and high-pressure gas processing, fuel is continuously consumed. Applications of gas turbines In terms of gas turbine applications, these turbines are one of the most widely used technologies for electricity generation today.
Chemical factories and refineries could potentially benefit from their electricity generation. In recent years, they have made a considerable contribution to greener power generation. The development of new and improved technology would allow gas turbines to be used more effectively in a variety of power sectors, from electricity generation to transportation and aviation, thus increasing the efficiency of all of these industries. These turbomachines form the backbone of today’s aviation and aircraft propulsion, in addition to producing electricity in power and chemical facilities.
Gas turbines are employed in a wide range of aircraft, from small passenger jets like the Hawker 400, formerly known as the MU-300, to the massive A380. They’re also seen on cargo planes ranging in size from tiny to huge, like the Airbus Beluga. Jet engines are also used to propel military aircraft.
The gas turbine control system is intended to enhance performance and helps to safeguard turbines in the longer run. IS200WROBH1A, DS200TCCBG8B are examples for system components/parts.
Types of Gas Turbine
The four major types of gas turbine engines are discussed here.
Keep in mind that such a wide range of gas turbine designs can only be found in aircraft gas turbines. The configuration of gas turbines used in power plants is quite similar to that of turbojet engines.
Turbojet Engines
Turbojet engines were the first form of gas turbine. Despite the fact that they appear nothing like reciprocating engines, they work on the same principle: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. Air is pushed at a rapid rate to the fuel inlet and ignitor of the combustion chamber in this type of engine. By expanding air, the turbine causes faster exhaust gases. Turboprop engines are a type of aircraft engine.
Turboprop engines
It’s a turbojet engine with a propeller attached to it via a gear system. The operation of a gas turbine of this sort is as follows:
- A shaft connected to a transmission gearbox spins while the turbojet spins.
- A transmission box slows the spinning process, and the transmission mechanism is coupled to the slowest moving gear.
- The thrust is generated by rotating the air propeller.
Turbofan engines
Turbofan engines are combined with the world’s top turbojets and turboprops. A duct fan can link a turbofan engine to the front of a turbojet engine. The fan then provides an extra push, assisting in the cooling of the engine while also lowering noise levels.
Turboshaft Engines
Turboshaft engines, which are primarily employed on helicopters, are the fourth type of gas turbine. The most significant distinction is that turboshaft engines use the majority of their power to spin turbines rather than driving them out the back of the vehicle. A turbojet engine with a big shaft attached to the back is known as a turboshaft engine.
Gas Turbine Engine Components
Propulsive thrust can be generated using a gas turbine engine. In the case of a pure jet engine, this can power a generator, pump, or propeller while also creating thrust through the nozzle.
While the gas turbine engine is a basic system, due to the high operating temperatures and strains, components for a powerful machine must be carefully constructed and produced from expensive materials. As a result, gas turbine engines are often limited to big units where they are cost-effective.
Components of a gas turbine include a compressor (which takes in and compresses air), combustor (which ignites fuel), turbine (which turns high-speed gas energy into rotary power through expansion), gearbox and shaft, and exhaust nozzle. The key components of a gas turbine engine will be examined in greater detail in the following sections. It’s worth noting that gas turbine gearboxes are widely used in today’s gas turbine designs. Based on the turbine’s rotational speed and power output, this component is responsible for effectively delivering the turbine’s produced power to the moving parts.
Newer designs, on the other hand, have a direct drive system, which means there is no gearbox inside the gas turbine engine and the turbine rotational power is sent directly to where it is needed.
Degree of packaging
The majority of gas turbines used in industry require the gas turbine to be housed in a simple frame with all of the necessary components for the basic operating unit. The following systems are included:
- Start up the system
- System of fuel
- System of lubrication
- Controls at the local level
- The driving machinery and the gearbox (in some cases)
Additional operating systems, in general, are all pre-engineered packaged systems that the turbine manufacturer can provide and customize. Systems such as:
- Filtration at the air intake
- Coolers for oil
- System of remote control
- Sound-deadening enclosures
- Silencers for exhaust systems
