Department Of Aerospace Engineering,

Indian Institute Of Technology Madras

AS2100: Basic Aerospace Engineering Lab

Lab Report 7

Pramat Shastri Jois

AE20B107
Contents
1 Aim 2

2 Theory 2
2.1 Brayton Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1.1 Ideal Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1.2 Real Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Gas Turbine Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2.1 Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3 Method 5
3.1 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.1.1 Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.1.2 Description/Working . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4 Result 8
4.1 Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2 Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2.1 Ideal Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.2.2 Real Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5 Interpretation 11
5.1 Sources of Error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6 Conclusion 12

7 Precautions 13

References 13

List of Figures
1 PV Diagram of an Ideal Brayton Cycle[1] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 TS Diagram of an Ideal Brayton Cycle[1] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 TS Diagram of an Real Brayton Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4 The TecQuipment Turbojet Trainer with Reheat (GT100RS) . . . . . . . 6
5 The Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6 Tabulating the Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7 TS Diagram with nozzle exit area 66% and NO after burner . . . . . . . 11

1
1 Aim
1. To construct an approximate Brayton cycle for a micro gas turbine engine on a T-S
plot.

2. Observe the effect of nozzle exit area and afterburner on thrust.

2 Theory
2.1 Brayton Cycle
The Brayton cycle[2] is a thermodynamic cycle that describes the operation of certain
heat engines that have air or some other gas as their working fluid. Modern gas turbine
engines and air-breathing jet engines follow the Brayton cycle. This cycle is usually run
as an open system.

Gas turbines are Brayton engines, with three components: a gas compressor, a burner
(or combustion chamber), and an expansion turbine.

Figure 1: PV Diagram of an Ideal Brayton Cycle[1]

The P-V and T-S Diagrams for the Ideal Brayton cycle is represented in the Fig. 1
and Fig. 2 respectively.

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 Figure 2: TS Diagram of an Ideal Brayton Cycle[1]

2.1.1 Ideal Cycle

In an ideal gas turbine, gases undergo four thermodynamic processes: an isentropic com-
pression, an isobaric (constant pressure) combustion, an isentropic expansion and heat
rejection. Together, these make up the Brayton cycle.
1. Isentropic compression (1-2) – Ambient air is drawn into the compressor, where it
is pressurized.
2. Isobaric Heating (2-3) – The compressed air then runs through a combustion cham-
ber, where fuel is burned, heating that air—a constant-pressure process, since the
chamber is open to flow in and out.
3. Isentropic Expansion (3-4) – The heated, pressurized air then gives up its energy,
expanding through a turbine (or series of turbines). Some of the work extracted by
the turbine is used to drive the compressor.
4. Isentropic Expansion (4-5) - The heated, pressurized air then further loses its energy
by expanding through a nozzle and is responsible for producing thrust.
5. Isobaric Cooling (5-1) – Heat rejection into the atmosphere.
From Thermodynamics, we know that
T dS = dh − V dP (1)
Dividing both sides by T , we get
dh V dP
dS = − (2)
T T
Using ideal gas equation, P V = RT and dh = Cp T , we get
dT dP
dS = Cp −R (3)
T P
3
Now, integrating the above equation for a process from state a to state b, we get
   
Tb Pb
∆Sa−b = Cp ln − R ln (4)
Ta Pa
So, for an isentropic process, ∆Sa−b = 0, we get the following relation
   
Tb Pb
0 = Cp ln − R ln (5)
Ta Pa
  Cp
Pb Tb R
=⇒ = (6)
Pa Ta
Cp γ
where, = . Here, γ is the adiabatic constant and for air its is taken as γ = 1.4.
R γ−1
For an isobaric process, ∆Pa−b = 0, we get the following relation
 
Tb
∆Sa−b = Cp ln (7)
Ta
Thus, we make us of Eqs. 6 and 7 while calculating the Pressure, Temperature and
Entropy change in the Ideal Brayton Cycle.

2.1.2 Real Cycle

Actual Brayton cycles[3] differ from the ideal cycles in all the four processes. The com-
pression process and expansion processes are non-isentropic. Also, the pressure drops
during the heat addition process. The presence of irreversibilities (due to internal fric-
tion and turbulence) causes the above deviations. Fresh air is taken up in place of the
isobaric heat rejection.

Figure 3: TS Diagram of an Real Brayton Cycle

The T-S Diagram for the real Brayton cycle is represented in the Fig. 3.
Here, as each process in non-ideal, we make use of Eq. 4 directly to calculate the
Entropy change in the Real Brayton Cycle.

4
2.2 Gas Turbine Engine
A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of continuous and internal
combustion engine. The main elements common to all gas turbine engines are:

1. An upstream rotating gas compressor

2. A combustor

3. A downstream turbine on the same shaft as the compressor.

The gas turbine[4] runs very hot and has few moving parts. This helps it to be an
efficient engine that produces less pollution than other combustion engines for the same
power output. Helicopters, aircraft, trains, ships and some large military vehicles use gas
turbines for propulsion or power generation.

2.2.1 Basic Operation

The basic operation of the gas turbine is a Brayton cycle with air as the working fluid:

• Atmospheric air flows through the compressor that brings it to higher pressure.

• Energy is then added by spraying fuel into the air and igniting it so that the
combustion generates a high-temperature flow.

• This high-temperature pressurized gas enters a turbine, producing a shaft work

output in the process, used to drive the compressor.

• The unused energy comes out in the exhaust gases that can be repurposed for
external work, such as directly producing thrust in a turbojet engine, or rotating a
second, independent turbine that can be connected to a fan, propeller, or electrical
generator.

The purpose of the gas turbine determines the design so that the most desirable split of
energy between the thrust and the shaft work is achieved.

3 Method
3.1 Equipment
To perform this experiment we will be using a micro-gas-turbine called The TecQuipment
Turbojet Trainer with Reheat (GT100RS).

3.1.1 Principle
The micro-gas-turbine GT100RS from TecQuipment works on the principle of the Brayton
Cycle.

5
 Figure 4: The TecQuipment Turbojet Trainer with Reheat (GT100RS)

3.1.2 Description/Working
This micro-gas-turbine[5] is a self-contained, fully instrumented, educational single shaft
gas turbine with afterburner. Powered by kerosene, the experimental abilities of this
apparatus enable comprehensive practical investigations into the principles, and perfor-
mance of single-shaft gas turbines with/without afterburner.
• It is a steel frame that holds a gas generator, combustion chamber, oil and fuel
tanks, pumps, ancillaries and guards.
• Above these is an instrumentation and control panel with schematic diagram. The
clearly labeled front panel with mimic diagram includes the instrument displays,
controls and warning lights.
• Air passes into an air box, into a radial compressor, then into the combustion
chamber.
• A pump transfers fuel from the fuel tank to spray through a special nozzle into the
combustion chamber.
• A high-energy spark ignites the air and fuel mixture, which flows to radial flow
turbine, then to the reheat section.
• This increases the temperature and velocity of the gas. It then passes through a
variable area propelling nozzle.
• A fuel flow control valve on the instrumentation and control panel allows regulation
of the speed.

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 • Digital indicators show shaft speed, pressures, temperatures and fuel flow. Analogue
indicators show fuel level, fuel pressure, oil temperature, oil pressure and hours run.

• A separate control adjusts the fuel flow to the afterburner section.

Figure 5: The Control Panel

3.2 Procedure
• Start and run the turbine by first pressing the ‘Fuel Pump’ button and check that
the fuel pressure increases. Then, press and hold the ‘Ignition’ button to start the
combustion process. Release the ‘Ignition’ button once the engine starts.

• Set the nozzle area to fully open and run the turbine up to particular RPM.

• Allow conditions to stabilize and record all the readings from the control panel. It
may take up to fifteen minutes for conditions to stabilize. As a guide, conditions are
stable when temperatures T3, T4 and T5 become stable. Make a small adjustment
to the fuel flow to keep a constant speed while the temperatures become stable.

• Repeat the test keeping same RPM with the nozzle fully open but with reheat
applied. Again, record all the readings from the control panel.

• Finally, repeat the same above procedure with the nozzle open to 66%.

7
4 Result
4.1 Observations

Figure 6: Tabulating the Readings

4.2 Calculations
Showing the calculation for the case with nozzle exit area 66% and NO after burner,
represented in second column of Fig. 7.

Table 1: Case with nozzle exit area 66% and NO after burner
Station Pressure (in bar) Temperature (in K)
Ambient 1.004 307
1 0.9895 305
2 1.704 369
3 1.574 824
4 1.05 753
5 1.011 739

8
4.2.1 Ideal Cycle
1. Isentropic compression (1-2): ∆S1−2 = 0
Here, we use Eq. 6, taking P2 = P2′ = 1.704 bar, P1 = 0.9895 bar, T1 = 305 K and
γ = 1.4.

  γ
P2 T2 γ − 1
= (8)
P1 T1
 γ − 1   1.4 − 1
P2 γ 1.704 1.4
=⇒ T2 = T1 = 305 × = 356 K (9)
P1 0.9895

2. Isobaric Heating (2-3): ∆P2−3 = 0

Here, we use Eq. 7, taking P3 = P2 = 1.704 bar and approximating T3 = T3′ = 824
K and Cp = 1005 J/kgK.
   
T3 824
∆S2−3 = Cp ln = 1005 × = 842.76 J/kgK (10)
T2 356

3. Isentropic expansion (3-4): ∆S3−4 = 0

First we find P4 by maintaining the ration of the pressures as follows

P4 P′
= 4′ (11)
P3 P3
P4′
   
1.05
=⇒ P4 = P3 = 1.704 × = 1.137 bar (12)
P3′ 1.574

Then, we use Eq. 6, taking P4 = 1.137 bar, P3 = 1.704 bar, T3 = 824 K and
γ = 1.4.

  γ
P4 T4 γ − 1
= (13)
P3 T3
 γ − 1   1.4 − 1
P4 γ 1.137 1.4
=⇒ T4 = T3 = 824 × = 734 K (14)
P3 1.704

4. Isentropic expansion (4-5): ∆S4−5 = 0

For this case, we take P5 = 1 bar. Then, we use Eq. 6, taking P4 = 1.137 bar,
T4 = 734 K and γ = 1.4.

  γ
P5 T5 γ − 1
= (15)
P4 T4
 γ − 1   1.4 − 1
P5 γ 1 1.4
=⇒ T5 = T4 = 734 × = 708 K (16)
P4 1.137

9
4.2.2 Real Cycle
1. Process 1-2:
Here, we use Eq. 4, taking P2′ = 1.704 bar, P1′ = 0.9895 bar, T2′ = 369 K, T1′ = 305
K, Cp = 1005 J/kgK and R = 287 J/kgK.
 ′  ′
′ T2 P2
∆S1−2 = Cp ln ′
− R ln
T1 P1′
    (17)
369 1.704
= 1005 ln − 287 ln = 35.44 J/kgK
305 0.9895

2. Process 2-3:
Here, we use Eq. 4, taking P3′ = 1.574 bar, P2′ = 1.704 bar, T3′ = 824 K, T2′ = 369
K, Cp = 1005 J/kgK and R = 287 J/kgK.
 ′  ′
′ T3 P3
∆S2−3 = Cp ln ′
− R ln
T2 P2′
    (18)
824 1.574
= 1005 ln − 287 ln = 830.17 J/kgK
369 1.704

3. Process 3-4:
Here, we use Eq. 4, taking P4′ = 1.05 bar, P3′ = 1.574 bar, T4′ = 753 K, T3′ = 824 K,
Cp = 1005 J/kgK and R = 287 J/kgK.
 ′  ′
′ T4 P4
∆S3−4 = Cp ln ′
− R ln
T3 P3′
    (19)
753 1.05
= 1005 ln − 287 ln = 25.63 J/kgK
824 1.574

4. Process 4-5:
Here, we use Eq. 4, taking P5′ = 1.011 bar, P4′ = 1.05 bar, T5′ = 739 K, T4′ = 753 K,
Cp = 1005 J/kgK and R = 287 J/kgK.
 ′  ′
′ T5 P5
∆S4−5 = Cp ln ′
− R ln
T4 P4′
    (20)
739 1.011
= 1005 ln − 287 ln = −7.998 J/kgK
753 1.05

10
4.3 Plot

Figure 7: TS Diagram with nozzle exit area 66% and NO after burner

NOTE: We have assumed the value of Entropy at state 1, S1 = 10 J/kgK in the

above graph.

5 Interpretation
From the plot in Fig. 71 , we can observe the following:
• Starting from the same temperature T − 1, the temperature reached in Process 1-2
does not coincide for the real and ideal cycle. Also, T2′ = 369 K seems to be higher
that T2 = 356 K, which is as expected.
• Process 1-2 is ideally isentropic but, actually we see an entropy change ∆S1−2
′
=
35.44 J/kgK.
• Process 2-3 is ideally isobaric. We see that to attain the same final temperature
T3 = T3′ = 824 K, the entropy change ∆S2−3
′
< ∆S2−3 . Yet S3′ > S3 .
• Processes 3-4 and 4-5 are ideally isentropic. So, they lie along the same straight
line as show by the ideal cycle in the plot.
• In the real cycle, we get a significant change in entropy during the processes 3-4
′ ′
and 4-5. We see that ∆S3−4 > 0 whereas ∆S4−5 < 0. The negative value of ∆S
may be due to an error in the pressure-temperature data or because steady state
has not yet been attained.
1
I have made this plot using MS Excel

11
From the plot in Fig. 6, we can observe the following:

• For the same Speed N1, when the area of nozzle was decreased to 66% with NO
after burner, we see a small increase in temperature T5′ , pressures P4′ and P5′ . But,
we also see a small increase in thrust F, but a significant reduction in the Specific
Fuel Consumption.

• What this means it that, decreasing the nozzle area slightly is actually quite bene-
ficial as we get more thrust with more fuel efficiency.

• For the same Speed N1, when the nozzle is kept fully open with after burner ON,
we see a large increase in temperature T5′ but not a lot of change in the pressure
readings. We also we a small increment in the thrust and a significant increase in
the Specific Fuel Consumption.

• What this means it that, switching on the after burned has little effect on the
thrust. Also, this effect occurs at the price of less fuel efficiency.

• For the same Speed N1, when the area of nozzle was decreased to 66% with after
burner ON, we again see a large increase in temperature T5′ but not a lot of change in
the pressure readings. We also we a small increment in the thrust and a significant
increase in the Specific Fuel Consumption.

• What this means it that, switching on the after burned has little effect on the thrust.
But the fuel efficiency has improved compared to the previous case but reducing
the nozzle area.

5.1 Sources of Error

Some sources of error we may encounter due the experiment may be:

• Control panel displays may be faulty and need proper maintenance and calibration.

• Valves, Dial and knobs may be faulty.

• Reading may have been taken before the engine had reached steady state.

6 Conclusion
Based on our analysis, we can conclude that:

• The Gas Turbine Engine indeed follows the Real Brayton cycle and the TS plots
for the various cases consider give the same conclusion.

• To get more thrust at the same RPM, the best configuration is the reduce the
nozzle area and switch ON the after burner. It must also be kept in mind that this
configuration may reduce the fuel efficiency.

12
7 Precautions
Some precaution we need to keep in mind while performing this experiment:

• Do not operate the engine for a very long time.

• Wear safe gear while operating the engine.

• Operate the engine within the safe limit.

References
[1] N. G. R. Center, “Ideal brayton cycle.” https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/
airplane/brayton.html.

[2] “Brayton cycle.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brayton_cycle.

[3] B. Roy and A. M. Pradeep, “Jet aircraft propulsion.” https://nptel.ac.in/

content/storage2/courses/101101002/downloads/Lect-06.pdf. Department of
Aerospace, IIT Bombay.

[4] “Gas turbine.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_turbine.

[5] T. Ltd, “Gt100rs turbojet trainer and reheat user guide.” https://drive.google.
com/file/d/1NLikCpVrnsy9Q6ZKWLTpCoNJoLWZVk69/view, 2015.

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