Gas Turbines

Joule (Constant Pressure) Cycle

Shown above is a simple gas turbine layout. Filtered air is drawn into
the system and compressed to about 6 bar. It passes through to the combustion
chamber where fuel is introduced and combustion occurs. The hot gas passes
through the turbine through to the exhaust. In passing through the turbine it
provides motive force for driving the compressor and external requirements.

Advantages and disadvantages

Most modern gas turbine installations are based on aero industry design with
suitable marinisation. This takes the form substantially of material changes with
respect to the poorer quality fuel used and increased sulphur content.
Specific fuel consumptions of 360g/kWh are possible with simple
installations. Heat recuperation from the exhaust and gas inlet temperatures of
650'C can improve this to 280g/kWh.
Where inlet temperatures can be increased to 1200'C this falls further
to 200g/kW/h. Very special materials are required to make this possible with
ceramic and cooled metallic blades being fitted This compares to the 140g/kWh
possible in some large slow speed diesel installations. The advantage of the gas
turbine falls mainly around its compact size, low weight and reduced maintenance

requirements Gas turbine plant was very much out of favour for a long time due
to its poor fuel consumption. Emergency generators and fire pumps saw some
applications. With improved performance and more flexible plant designcontrollable pitch propellers and electrical drives- the much reduced engine size
and high power to weight has seen some operators specify this plant especially
for high speed ferries

Modern Design

The above shows a typical layout of a marine gas turbine with

thermal efficiency of 38-40%. The NOx ouput is about 1/10 that of a marine slow
speed diesel. The turbine inlet temperature is up to 1200'C and requires critical
blade design and material choice.
Shown is a single comuster, in reality there will be several equally
spaced around the assembly.
Specific fuel consumption is about 257 g/kWh

Intercooling and Recuperation

ICR technology promises significantly higher efficiencies , flatter fuel consumption
curves and improved power to weight ratios for gas turbine propulsion plants.

The system will initially be fitted to warships.

A 30% fuel saving over current simple cycle marine turbines is
claimed. Lower manpower requirement, enhanced reliability, reduced exhaust
emissions and low airbourne noise are also pointed out.
Components of proven reliability are used such as the RR RB211 and
Trent turbines.

An ICR cycle features the following process; Intake air compressed in

a low pressure compressor is cooled by rejecting heat via an on-engine
intercooler before entering the high pressure compressor. This reduces the work
required to compress the air, improving HP spool efficiency and raising net output
power. Intercooling also serves to reduce the HP compressor discharge
temperature which increases the effectiveness of the recuperator. The recuperator
preheats the combustion air by recovering waster energy from the exhaust, thus
improving the overall cycle efficiency. The result is reduced fuel consumption over
the whole power range.
Low power efficiency is further improved by the use of the power
turbines variable nozzles. These maintain a constant power turbine entry
temperature which, in turn, maintains recuperator gas side entry conditions and
improves recuperator effectiveness as power reduced