Potential of Semi-Closed Cycles for UAV Propulsion

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Tacconi ◽  
Wilfried Visser ◽  
Dries Verstraete
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Shaft Power ◽  
Alternative Propulsion Systems ◽  
Consequent Increase

Abstract Conventional Brayton cycles have demonstrated to be significantly less efficient than alternative propulsion systems (spark ignition, diesel, fuel cells, etc.) for low power output applications, such as for small size UAVs. The gas turbine performance could be enhanced through the introduction of heat exchangers, with the consequent increase of the overall engine weight. Semi-closed cycles have documented advantages of higher thermal efficiency and degree of compactness than traditional intercooled-recuperated open cycles. This paper discusses advantages and applicability of semi-closed cycles to a small gas turbine, designed for a medium altitude UAV mission. In particular, size and altitude effects have been accounted in the performance evaluation of two different semi-closed cycle arrangements designed for an output shaft power of 100 hp (74.57 kW). Resultant performance has been compared with equivalent simple recuperated and intercooled-recuperated open cycles. Furthermore, a final engine performance comparison has been made with data obtained from a similar analysis performed on a larger engine, with a power output of 300 hp (223.71 kW) and designed for an extremely high altitude UAV application. While promising results have been obtained for the larger case study, where semi-closed cycles have demonstrated superior performance and higher engine compactness than conventional solutions, similar trends have not been displayed for the smaller engines, as consequence of the strong size effects observed in the turbomachinery performance. For the 100 hp engine the semi-closed cycles are slightly outperformed by the open cycle engines.

scholarly journals Ideal Power Output — An Alternative Aircraft Engine Performance Comparator

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin F. Schmidt ◽  
Christopher M. Norden ◽  
Jeffrey M. Stricker
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Output ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Aircraft Engine ◽  
The State ◽  
Power Cycle ◽  
Shaft Power ◽  
Bypass Ratio

The gas turbine is applied in four basic configurations; the turbojet, the turbofan, the turboprop and the turboshaft. Comparisons of the performance of these various configurations is difficult since they convert the energy to different forms, i.e. thrust or shaft power. Cycle variables which do not necessarily constitute advancements in the state-of-the-art such as bypass ratio and fan pressure ratio can have a profound effect on thrust and shaft power. Differences in flight speed and altitude capability further confound the comparisons. What is required is a comparison methodology that removes all of these variables and yet puts all the various types of engines on an equitable basis. This paper will provide such a comparison tool. All turbomachinery, regardless of configuration, can be compared with this method.

Training Future Gas Turbine Performance Engineers

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Pachidis ◽  
P. Pilidis ◽  
I. Li
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Gas Turbine Engine ◽  
Performance Simulation ◽  
Turbine Engine ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Auxiliary Power ◽  
Engine Testing ◽  
The Uk

The performance analysis of modern gas turbine engine systems has led industry to the development of sophisticated gas turbine performance simulation tools and the utilization of skilled operators who must possess the ability to balance environmental, performance and economic requirements. Academic institutions, in their training of potential gas turbine performance engineers have to be able to meet these new challenges, at least at a postgraduate level. This paper describes in detail the “Gas Turbine Performance Simulation” module of the “Thermal Power” MSc course at Cranfield University in the UK, and particularly its practical content. This covers a laboratory test of a small Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) gas turbine engine, the simulation of the ‘clean’ engine performance using a sophisticated gas turbine performance simulation tool, as well as the simulation of the degraded performance of the engine. Through this exercise students are expected to gain a basic understanding of compressor and turbine operation, gain experience in gas turbine engine testing and test data collection and assessment, develop a clear, analytical approach to gas turbine performance simulation issues, improve their technical communication skills and finally gain experience in writing a proper technical report.

scholarly journals Turbine Rebuild Effects on Gas Turbine Performance

1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. MacLeod ◽  
B. Drbanski
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Gas Turbine Engine ◽  
Turbine Engine ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Turboprop Engine ◽  
Project Objectives ◽  
Performance Variations

The Engine Laboratory of the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC), with the assistance of Standard Aero Ltd., has established a program for the evaluation of component deterioration on gas turbine engine performance. As part of this project, a study of the effects of turbine rebuild tolerances on overall engine performance was undertaken. This study investigated the range of performance changes that might be expected for simply disassembling and reassembling the turbine module of a gas turbine engine, and how these changes would influence the results of the component fault implantation program. To evaluate the effects of rebuilding the turbine on the performance of a single spool engine, such as Allison T56 turboprop engine, a series of three rebuilds were carried out. This study was performed in a similar way to a previous NRCC study on the effects of compressor rebuilding. While the compressor rebuild study had found performance changes in the order of 1% on various engine parameters, the effects of rebuilding the turbine have proven to be even more significant. Based on the results of the turbine rebuild study, new methods to improve the assurance of the best possible tolerances during the rebuild process are currently being addressed. This paper describes the project objectives, the experimental installation, and the results of the performance evaluations. Discussed are performance variations due to turbine rebuilds on engine performance characteristics. As the performance changes were significant, a rigorous measurement uncertainty analysis is included.

scholarly journals Industrial Gas Turbine Performance: Compressor Fouling and On-Line Washing

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uyioghosa Igie ◽  
Pericles Pilidis ◽  
Dimitrios Fouflias ◽  
Kenneth Ramsden ◽  
Panagiotis Laskaridis
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Compressor Cascade ◽  
Compressor Blades ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbines ◽  
On Line ◽  
The Impact

Industrial gas turbines are susceptible to compressor fouling, which is the deposition and accretion of airborne particles or contaminants on the compressor blades. This paper demonstrates the blade aerodynamic effects of fouling through experimental compressor cascade tests and the accompanied engine performance degradation using turbomatch, an in-house gas turbine performance software. Similarly, on-line compressor washing is implemented taking into account typical operating conditions comparable with industry high pressure washing. The fouling study shows the changes in the individual stage maps of the compressor in this condition, the impact of degradation during part-load, influence of control variables, and the identification of key parameters to ascertain fouling levels. Applying demineralized water for 10 min, with a liquid-to-air ratio of 0.2%, the aerodynamic performance of the blade is shown to improve, however most of the cleaning effect occurred in the first 5 min. The most effectively washed part of the blade was the pressure side, in which most of the particles deposited during the accelerated fouling. The simulation of fouled and washed engine conditions indicates 30% recovery of the lost power due to washing.

Impact of Blade Cooling on Gas Turbine Performance Under Different Operation Conditions and Design Aspects

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Besharati-Givi ◽  
Xianchang Li
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Blade Cooling ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Cooling Air ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The increase of power need raises the awareness of producing energy more efficiently. Gas turbine has been one of the important workhorses for power generation. The effects of parameters in design and operation on the power output and efficiency have been extensively studied. It is well-known that the gas turbine inlet temperature (TIT) needs to be high for high efficiency as well as power production. However, there are some material restrictions with high-temperature gas especially for the first row of blades. As a result blade cooling is needed to help balance between the high TIT and the material limitations. The increase of TIT is also limited by restriction of emissions. While the blade cooling can allow a higher TIT and better turbine performance, there is also a penalty since the compressed air used for cooling is removed from the combustion process. Therefore, an optimal cooling flow may exist for the overall efficiency and net power output. In this paper the relationship between the TIT and amount of cooling air is studied. The TIT increase due to blade cooling is considered as a function of cooling air flow as well as cooling effectiveness. In another word, the increase of the TIT is limited while the cooling air can be increased continuously. Based on the relationship proposed the impact of blade cooling on the gas turbine performance is investigated. Compared to the simple cycle case without cooling, the blade cooling can increase the efficiency from 28.8 to 34.0% and the net power from 105 to 208 MW. Cases with different operation conditions such as pressure ratios as well as design aspects with regeneration are considered. Aspen plus software is used to simulate the cycles.

scholarly journals Associated Gas Utilization Using Gas Turbine Engine, Performance Implication—Nigerian Case Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 08 (03) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nnamdi Anosike ◽  
Abudssalam El-Suleiman ◽  
Pericles Pilidis
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Gas Turbine Engine ◽  
Turbine Engine ◽  
Associated Gas ◽  
Gas Utilization

Analysis of Operational Effects on Cooled H-Class Gas Turbines

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selcuk Can Uysal ◽  
James B. Black
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Heat Rate ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Performance Parameters

Abstract During the operation of an industrial gas turbine, the engine deviates from its new condition performance because of several effects including dirt build-up, compressor fouling, material erosion, oxidation, corrosion, turbine blade burning or warping, thermal barrier coating (TBC) degradation, and turbine blade cooling channel clogging. Once these problems cause a significant impact on engine performance, maintenance actions are taken by the operators to restore the engine to new performance levels. It is important to quantify the impacts of these operational effects on the key engine performance parameters such as power output, heat rate and thermal efficiency for industrial gas turbines during the design phase. This information can be used to determine an engine maintenance schedule, which is directly related to maintenance costs during the anticipated operational time. A cooled gas turbine performance analysis model is used in this study to determine the impacts of the TBC degradation and compressor fouling on the engine performance by using three different H-Class gas turbine scenarios. The analytical tool that is used in this analysis is the Cooled Gas Turbine Model (CGTM) that was previously developed in MATLAB Simulink®. The CGTM evaluates the engine performance using operating conditions, polytropic efficiencies, material properties and cooling system information. To investigate the negative impacts on engine performance due to structural changes in TBC material, compressor fouling, and their combined effect, CGTM is used in this study for three different H-Class engine scenarios that have various compressor pressure ratios, turbine inlet temperatures, and power and thermal efficiency outputs; each determined to represent different classes of recent H-Class gas turbines. Experimental data on the changes in TBC performance are used as an input to the CGTM as a change in the TBC Biot number to observe the impacts on engine performance. The effect of compressor fouling is studied by changing the compressor discharge pressures and polytropic compressor efficiencies within the expected reduction ranges. The individual and combined effects of compressor fouling and TBC degradation are presented for the shaft power output, thermal efficiency and heat rate performance parameters. Possible improvements for the designers to reduce these impacts, and comparison of the reductions in engine performance parameters of the studied H-Class engine scenarios are also provided.

Sensitivity Analysis on Brayton Cycle Gas Turbine Performance

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 910-916
Author(s):  
G. Negri di Montenegro ◽  
A. Peretto
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Numerical Procedure ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Analytical Functions ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Numerical Performance ◽  
Gas Turbine Power Plant

This paper evaluates the performance of a Brayton cycle gas turbine, in terms of power output and conversion efficiency. Sensitivity of this performance to the realistic value of each input variable considered is analyzed. Sensitivity is evaluated by introducing a parameter, defined as the ratio between the logarithmic differential of the power output or efficiency functions and the logarithmic differential of each variable considered. These analytical functions and their derivatives correspond to a gas turbine model developed by the authors. The above-mentioned sensitivity parameter can be also evaluated by means of a numerical procedure utilizing a common gas turbine power plant computational model. The values calculated with the two procedures turn out to be substantially the same. Finally, the present analysis permits the determination of the weight of the input variable and of its value on the obtainable numerical performance. Such weights are found to be less important for some variables, while they are of marked significance for others, thus indicating those input parameters requiring a very precise verification of their numerical values.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Secondary Flows and Influence of Air System Design on Heavy-Duty Gas Turbine Performance

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Bozzi ◽  
Enrico D’angelo
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Air System ◽  
Secondary Air

High turn-down operating of heavy-duty gas turbines in modern Combined Cycle Plants requires a highly efficient secondary air system to ensure the proper supply of cooling and sealing air. Thus, accurate performance prediction of secondary flows in the complete range of operating conditions is crucial. The paper gives an overview of the secondary air system of Ansaldo F-class AEx4.3A gas turbines. Focus of the work is a procedure to calculate the cooling flows, which allows investigating both the interaction between cooled rows and additional secondary flows (sealing and leakage air) and the influence on gas turbine performance. The procedure is based on a fluid-network solver modelling the engine secondary air system. Parametric curves implemented into the network model give the consumption of cooling air of blades and vanes. Performances of blade cooling systems based on different cooling technology are presented. Variations of secondary air flows in function of load and/or ambient conditions are discussed and justified. The effect of secondary air reduction is investigated in details showing the relationship between the position, along the gas path, of the upgrade and the increasing of engine performance. In particular, a section of the paper describes the application of a consistent and straightforward technique, based on an exergy analysis, to estimate the effect of major modifications to the air system on overall engine performance. A set of models for the different factors of cooling loss is presented and sample calculations are used to illustrate the splitting and magnitude of losses. Field data, referred to AE64.3A gas turbine, are used to calibrate the correlation method and to enhance the structure of the lumped-parameters network models.

Analysis of Singas FED Gas Turbine Performance Depending on Ambient Conditions

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Brusca ◽  
R. Lanzafame
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Maximum Relative Error ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Performance Reduction ◽  
Relative Errors

It is well known that gas turbine performance is quite influenced by ambient conditions such as pressure, air temperature and relative humidity. This paper deals with the effects of ambient conditions on performance of gas turbine fired with syngas. A mathematical model of the engine has been implemented within GateCycle workspace and using experimental data, it has been finely tuned and tested. Results analysis showed that it is able to simulate engine running in on–design and off–design conditions (maximum relative error is about 1%). Thus, gas turbine running simulations depending on ambient temperature and relative humidity have been carried out. Results analysis showed that at high air temperatures (higher then the one corresponding to maximum IGV opening) performance reduction occur. On the contrary, high values of relative humidity allow to reduce power losses in the same temperature range. In conclusion, the developed mathematical model is able to simulate gas turbine running with low relative errors. So that, it could be used in order to optimise engine performance at the ambient conditions that occur for the site of the IGCC Complex in which gas turbine is integrated.

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