Q1. A Gas Turbine Power Plant Operating On An Ideal Brayton Cycle Has A Pressure Ratio of 8. The
Q1. A Gas Turbine Power Plant Operating On An Ideal Brayton Cycle Has A Pressure Ratio of 8. The
Q1. A gas turbine power plant operating on an ideal Brayton cycle has a pressure ratio of 8. The
gas temperature is 300 K at the compressor inlet and 1300 K at the turbine inlet. Utilising the air
standard assumptions, determine (a) the gas temperature at the exits of the compressor and the
turbine, (b) what percentage of turbine power is used for running the compressor and (c) thermal
efficiency.
Solution:
Given: The pressure ratio across the isentropic compression process is 8. So, 𝑃2 ⁄𝑃1 = 8. The
gas temperature at the inlet of the compressor (T1) is 300 K & at the inlet of the turbine (T3) is
1300 K.
𝑃2
= 8, 𝑇1 = 300 𝐾, 𝑇3 = 1300 𝐾
𝑃1
The isentropic relationship between the various state properties can be written as follows:
𝑃 ∗ 𝑉 𝛾 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 [1.1]
𝑇𝛾
= 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 [1.3]
𝑃 𝛾−1
Using equation [1.3] and pressure ratio value across the compressor, the temperature at the end
of the compressor can be found out. The calculation is as follows:
𝑇1 𝛾 𝑇 𝛾
𝛾−1 = 𝑃 2𝛾−1 [1.4]
𝑃1 2
𝛾−1
𝑇2 𝑃 𝛾
= 𝑃2 [1.5]
𝑇1 1
𝛾−1
0.4
𝑃
𝑇2 = 𝑇1 𝑃2 𝛾 = 300 ∗ 81.4 = 𝟓𝟒𝟑. 𝟒𝟑 𝑲 Ans
1
𝛾−1 0.4
𝑃 𝛾 1
𝑇4 = 𝑇3 𝑃4 = 1300 ∗ 81.4 = 𝟕𝟏𝟕. 𝟔𝟔 𝑲 Ans
3
𝑃 𝑃
Note: 𝑃2 = 𝑃3 & 𝑃1 = 𝑃4 as they lie on a constant pressure line. So, 𝑃2 = 𝑃3 = 8 .
1 4
Note : The negative sign conveys that work is done on compressor. In an isentropic process,
𝛿𝑄 = 𝛿𝑊 + ∆𝑈 = 0 which suggests 𝛿𝑊 = −∆𝑈. But in the case of Brayton cycle (open cycle),
we consider 𝛿𝑊 = −∆ℎ as flow work is also present here.
The percentage of the work produced by the turbine used by the compressor is as follows:
|𝑊 | (𝑇 −𝑇 ) 543.43−300
% 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 = |𝑊𝑐 | ∗ 100 = (𝑇2 −𝑇1 ) ∗ 100 = 1300−717.66 ∗ 100 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟒𝟐% Ans
𝑇 3 4
|𝑊𝑇 |−|𝑊𝑐 | (𝑇3 −𝑇4 )−(𝑇2 −𝑇1 ) (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )−(𝑇4 −𝑇1 ) (𝑇 −𝑇 )
ŋ= |𝑄𝑆 |
= (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )
= (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )
= 1 − (𝑇4 −𝑇1 ) [1.6]
3 2
𝑃2 𝑃 𝑇2 𝑇
As, 𝑃1
= 𝑃3 which suggests that 𝑇1
= 𝑇3 . This expression can be obtained using isentropic
4 4
𝑇4 𝑇3
relationship in equation [1.3]. So, 𝑇 = 𝑇 is also a valid relationship.
1 2
𝑇4
(𝑇 −𝑇 ) 𝑇1 (𝑇1 −1) 𝑇 300
ŋ = 1 − (𝑇4 −𝑇1 ) = 1 − = 1 − 𝑇1 = 1 − 543.43 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟕𝟗 Ans
3 2 𝑇2 (𝑇3 −1) 2
𝑇2
Note: In the irreversible process the isentropic relationships cannot be used. So, the relationships
𝑇 𝑇
like 𝑇4 = 𝑇3 will not hold in that case. So, the general formula for the thermal efficiency (equation
1 2
[1.7]) should be used in this case.
(𝑇 −𝑇 )
ŋ𝑖𝑟𝑟 = 1 − (𝑇4 −𝑇1) [1.7]
3 2
Q2. Assuming a compressor efficiency of 80 % and turbine efficiency of 85 %, determine (a)
what percentage of turbine power is used for running the compressor, (b) the thermal efficiency
and (c) the turbine exit temperature. Take the gas turbine cycle described in the preceding
problem.
Solution :
This problem is a continuation of the question no. 1. In this question the process is irreversible as
opposed to the question no. 1 where reversible Brayton cycle is considered.
Note: We know that maximum work is obtained from a heat engine in a reversible process. In
this case, maximum work will get produced by the turbine while operating in a reversible
process. So, in an irreversible process the turbine work will get reduced.
Similarly, we also know that minimum work has to be given to a refrigerator or a heat pump
while operating in a reversible process. So, in this case work done needed by the turbine will be
minimum in a reversible process and will be greater than this value while operating in an
irreversible process.
So, you will expect the turbine work to get reduced and the work needed by the compressor to
get increased. So, the percentage of turbine work used by the compressor will be higher and the
net work done will get reduced. In overall, the thermal efficiency of the Brayton cycle will get
reduced because of the reduced net work done.
ℎ −ℎ 𝑇 −𝑇
ŋ𝑇 = ℎ 3−ℎ 4 = 𝑇 3−𝑇 4 [2.1]
3 4𝑠 3 4𝑠
Please refer the Fig. 1.1 for the meaning of various terms. The state ‘4s’ is the ideal state occur in
the case of a reversible process. The properties at state ‘2s’ and ‘4s’ is calculated in the question
1. and can be used here whenever required.
So, the actual temperature T4 and T2 can be found out by applying turbine efficiency and
compressor efficiency formula.
The percentage of the work produced by the turbine used by the compressor is as follows:
|𝑊 | (𝑇 −𝑇 ) 604.29−300
% 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 = |𝑊𝑐 | ∗ 100 = (𝑇2 −𝑇1 ) ∗ 100 = 1300−805.01 ∗ 100 = 𝟔𝟏. 𝟒𝟕 % Ans
𝑇 3 4
|𝑊𝑇 |−|𝑊𝑐 | (𝑇3 −𝑇4 )−(𝑇2 −𝑇1 ) (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )−(𝑇4 −𝑇1 ) (𝑇 −𝑇 )
ŋ= |𝑄𝐻 |
= (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )
= (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )
= 1 − (𝑇4 −𝑇1 ) [2.3]
3 2
As mentioned in the note section of the above question that the equation [2.3] cannot be further
simplified as isentropic relationship doesn’t hold true for an irreversible process.
(𝑇 −𝑇 ) 805.01−300
% ŋ = (1 − (𝑇4 −𝑇1 )) ∗ 100 = (1 − 1300−604.29) ∗ 100 = 𝟐𝟕. 𝟒𝟏 % Ans
3 2
Q3. An ideal Otto cycle has compression ratio of 8. At the beginning of the compression process,
air is at 100 kPa and 17°C, and 800 kJ/kg of heat is transferred to air the constant volume heat
addition process. Assuming cold air standard assumption, determine (a) the maximum pressure
and temperature that occur during the cycle, (b) the net work done, (c) thermal efficiency and (d)
mean effective pressure for the cycle.
Solution:
Given: The compression ratio of Otto cycle is 8. The pressure and temperature at the beginning
of the compression process 100 kPa and 17°C respectively.
𝑣1
= 8, 𝑇1 = 17°C = 290 𝐾, 𝑃1 = 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑣2
The process 1-2 shown in the Fig. 3.1 is an isentropic compression process. The isentropic
relationship between various state properties can be written as follows:
𝑃 ∗ 𝑣 𝛾 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 [3.1]
𝑇𝛾
= 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 [3.3]
𝑃 𝛾−1
𝑣
So, using the compression ratio ( 1⁄𝑣2 ) the pressure and temperature at the state 2 can be found
out.
𝑣1 𝛾
𝑃2 = 𝑃1 ∗ = 100 ∗ 81.4 = 1837.92 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑣2
𝑣1 𝛾−1
𝑇2 = 𝑇1 ∗ = 290 ∗ 80.4 = 666.25 𝐾
𝑣2
The process 2-3 shown in Otto cycle shown in the Fig 3.1 is a constant volume or isochoric
process. It has been mentioned in the question that 800 kJ/kg amount of heat has been transferred
to the system in this process. As the process is a constant volume process, all the heat will be
used for changing internal energy of the system without any work done.
Temperature at state 3 (maximum temperature) can be obtained from equation [3.4] as follows:
𝑄𝐻 800∗1000
𝑇3 = 𝑇2 + = 666.25 + = 𝟏𝟕𝟖𝟎. 𝟒𝟔 𝑲 Ans
𝐶𝑣 718
𝑃3 𝑇
= 𝑇3 [3.5]
𝑃2 2
𝑇 1780.46
𝑃3 = 𝑃2 ∗ 𝑇3 = 1837.92 ∗ = 𝟒𝟗𝟏𝟏. 𝟓𝟖 𝒌𝑷𝒂 Ans
2 666.25
Because of the constant volume heat addition and rejection 𝑣2 = 𝑣3 & 𝑣1 = 𝑣4 .
𝑣1 𝑣
= 𝑣4 = 8 [3.6]
𝑣2 3
The process 3-4 is the isentropic expansion process. So, the isentropic relationship in equation
[3.1] to [3.3] can be used to get temperature and pressure at the 4th state.
𝑣3 𝛾 11.4
𝑃4 = 𝑃3 ∗ = 4911.69 ∗ = 267.24 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑣4 8
𝑣3 𝛾−1 10.4
𝑇4 = 𝑇3 ∗ = 1780.46 ∗ = 774.99 𝐾
𝑣4 8
Note: The Otto cycle is a closed cycle. So, the system in this case is considered to be a control
mass or closed system. In the isentropic process, 𝛿𝑄 = 𝛿𝑊 + ∆𝑈 = 0 which suggests 𝛿𝑊 =
−∆𝑈. This is different from the work done expression in the Brayton cycle (Open cycle). In the
Brayton cycle, because of the consideration of flow work the expression for work done becomes
as 𝛿𝑊 = −∆ℎ.
Work done in the power stroke of Otto cycle can be calculated as follows:
|𝑊𝑇 |−|𝑊𝑐 | (𝑇3 −𝑇4 )−(𝑇2 −𝑇1 ) (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )−(𝑇4 −𝑇1 ) (𝑇 −𝑇 )
ŋ= |𝑄𝐻 |
∗ 100 = (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )
= (𝑇3 −𝑇2 )
= 1 − (𝑇4 −𝑇1 ) [3.6]
3 2
𝑣1 𝑣 𝑇1 𝑇 𝑃1 𝑃
= 𝑣4 & = 𝑇4 & = 𝑃4 [3.7]
𝑣2 3 𝑇2 3 𝑃2 3
Using the above expressions the formula for the thermal efficiency is derived below.
4𝑇
(𝑇 −𝑇 ) 𝑇 (𝑇1 −1) 𝑇 300 𝑣 𝛾−1 1𝛾−1
ŋ = 1 − (𝑇4 −𝑇1 ) = 1 − 𝑇1 𝑇3 = 1 − 𝑇1 = 1 − 543.43 = 1 − 𝑣2 =1−8 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟔𝟒𝟕 Ans
3 2 2 ( −1) 2 1
𝑇2
𝑣1 0.8323 𝑚3
𝑣2 = = = 0.104
8 8 𝑘𝑔
Where units of the 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 is in J/kg and units of the specific volume 𝑣 is in m3/kg.
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑊 𝑛𝑒𝑡
𝑃𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉 = 𝑉 −𝑉 [3.8]
𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑉𝑚𝑖𝑛 1 2
Solution
Given 𝑉1⁄𝑉2 = 18, cut off ratio 𝑉3⁄𝑉2 = 2, 𝑇1 = 300 K, 𝑃1 = 100 kPa and 𝑉1 = 1917 cm3.
Figure 4.1
The mass of the air can be found out using the perfect gas law
𝑚 = 𝑃1 𝑉1⁄𝑅𝑇1 = 2.2265 × 10−3 kg.
Note that 𝛾 = 1.4 for air.
(b) Net work output 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑄𝐻 − 𝑄𝐶 = 𝑚𝐶𝑃 (𝑇3 − 𝑇2 ) − 𝑚𝐶𝑉 (𝑇4 − 𝑇1 ) = 𝟏𝟑𝟒𝟕. 𝟒𝟗 J.
In the above equation, 𝑄𝐻 is the heat supplied and 𝑄𝐶 is the heat rejected.
(d) Mean effective pressure = 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 ⁄(𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑉𝑚𝑖𝑛 ) = 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 ⁄(𝑉1 − 𝑉2 ) = 𝟕𝟒𝟒. 𝟐𝟔𝟒 kPa.
Q5. An air standard dual cycle has a compression ratio of 16, and compression begins at 1 bar,
50°C. The maximum pressure is 70 bar. The heat transferred to air at constant pressure is equal
to that at constant volume. Estimate (a) the pressures and temperatures at the cardinal points of
the cycle, (b) the cycle efficiency, and (c) the MEP of the cycle. Take 𝐶𝑉 = 0.718 kJ/kg K and
𝐶𝑃 = 1.005 kJ/kg K
Solution
Figure 5.1