Gas
Turbine
A
gas turbine is a rotary engine that draws energy from a fuel-air
mixture. A compressor raises the pressure and temperature
of the inlet air. The air is then moved into a burner, where
fuel is injected and combusted to raise the temperature of
the air. Power is produced when the heated, high-pressure
mixture is expanded and cooled through the turbine.
The gas turbine engine runs on a Brayton cycle using a continuous
combustion process. In this cycle, a compressor raises the
pressure and temperature of the inlet air. The air is then
moved into the burner, where fuel is injected and combusted
to raise the temperature of the air. Power is produced when
the heated, high-pressure mixture is expanded and cooled through
a turbine. When a turbine engine is directly coupled to a
generator, it is often called a turbo generator or turbo alternator.
The power output of a turbine is controlled through the amount
of fuel injected into the burner. Many turbines have adjustable
vanes and/or gearing to decrease fuel consumption during partial-load
conditions and to improve acceleration.
The turbine is light and simple; the only moving part of a
simple turbine is the rotor. This engine can also produce
low levels of emissions and can run using various types of
fuel. Because of this multi-fuel capability, a fuel that burns
completely and cleanly can be used to reduce emissions.
The turbine engine has a few drawbacks, which have prevented
its widespread use in automotive applications. These include
high manufacturing costs, slow response (relative to a reciprocating
engine) to changes in throttle request, less suitability for
low-power applications, and requirements of intercoolers,
regenerators, and/or reheaters to reach efficiencies comparable
to current gasoline engines.
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