Gas Turbine
A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of internal combustion engine. It has an upstream rotating compressor coupled to a downstream turbine and a combustion chamber in-between. Gas turbines are used in jet propulsion, as the energy source in aircraft and some ships, as well as electrical power generation and powering vehicles.
Gas turbines are most efficient at producing high power output over a short period of time. These properties make them suitable for applications such as jet engines, where a large amount of power is needed for a short period of time for takeoff. Gas turbines are also used in some types of combined cycle power plants. This set-up consists of a gas turbine in combination with an electrical generator and a steam generator. The hot exhaust from the turbine is used to generate steam which is then used in a conventional steam turbine power plant to generate additional electricity.
Gas turbines are mainly composed of two main components: the compressor and the turbine. The compressor draws in air and compresses it, increasing its pressure, temperature, and density. This air is then heated with fuel being injected into it, via combustors. This combustion process increases the air pressure, temperature, and volume significantly, in order to increase the efficiency of the turbine. Once the gas passes through the turbine, where work is extracted, it is then exhausted either into the atmosphere, or into a boiler system where it can be used to generate further energy or hot water.
Gas turbines can burn a range of different fuels, such as natural gas, diesel, and kerosene. Many industrial gas turbines, however, can use a variety of fuels including gases such as methane and propane, as well as liquid fuels such as diesel, kerosene and bio-diesel. The choice of fuel depends largely on the availability of the fuel, its concentration in the environment, and the purpose of the turbine.
The performance of a gas turbine is determined by a number of factors, of which some are more important than others. The main performance criterion of a gas turbine is thermal efficiency, which refers to the ratio of the work produced (in the form of thrust or power) to the energy supplied to the turbine. Other important parameters include power output, specific fuel consumption, and response time.
The environmental impacts of gas turbines have been studied extensively in recent years. It has been found that the emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide from some gas turbines can lead to air pollution and contribute to global warming. Other emissions, such as particulate matter, can also be present. In order to reduce the environmental impact of gas turbines, it is important to ensure that appropriate emission control systems are in place.
In conclusion, gas turbines are a versatile and efficient power source for a variety of applications. They are used in aircraft propulsion, combined cycle power plants, as well as for other purposes such as heating and cooling buildings. In order to reduce the environmental impacts of burning fuel in a gas turbine, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to control emissions.
