Chapter 7

7.3 Air Standard Brayton Cycle

Figure 7.3-1b shows a schematic diagram of an air-standard gas turbine with directions for
principal heat transfers indicated by arrows. Gas turbines are ususally ligher and more
compact than the vapor power system even though a larger portion of work developed by the
gas turbine is required to drive the compressor.

Fuel
Qin
Combustion
chamber Heat exchanger
2 3

Compressor Turbine Compressor Turbine

Wnet
Wcycle
Air-standard
Simple gas Brayton cycle
turbine
1 4
Heat exchanger
Air Product
Qout
Figure 7.3-1 (a) Simple gas turbine. (b) Air-standard gas turbine cycle

An open gas turbine engine is shown in Figure 7.3-1a. Air is continuously drawn into the
compressor of this engine, where it is compressed to a high pressure. The air then enters a
combustor, a combustion chamber, where it is mixed with fuel and combustion occurs,
resulting in combustion producets at an elevated temperature. The combustion products do
work by expanding through the turbine and are subsequently discharged to the surroundings.
Part of the turbine work developed is used to drive the compressor. An air-standard study
analysis is used to study the open gas turbine engine with the assumptions that air is the
working ideal gas and the energy generated by combustion is accomplished by a heat transfer
source.

With the air-standard idealization, ambient air enters the compressor at state 1 and later
returns to the surrounding at state 4 with a temperature higher than the ambient temperature.
The discharged air would eventually return to the same state as the air entering the
compressor so we can consider the air passing through the gas turbine engine as undergoing a
thermodynamic cycle. The air-standard Brayton cycle represents the states visited by the gas
with an additional heat exchanger for the air to release heat to the surroundings and return to
its original state 1. The air-standard Brayton cycle consists of two heat exchangers, a
compressor, and a turbine.

Neglecting change in kinetic and potential energy, the power developed by the turbine is

Wt = m (h3 − h4) (7.3-1)

7-19
In this equation, m is the mass flow rate. Neglecting change in kinetic and potential energy,
the power required by the compressor is

Wc = m (h2 − h1) (7.3-2)

The rate of heat added to the cycle is

Qin = m (h3 − h2) (7.3-3)

The rate of heat rejected to the surroundings is

Qout = m (h4 − h1) (7.3-4)

The thermal efficiency of the cycle is

η=
Wt − Wc ( h − h ) − ( h2 − h1 )
= 3 4 (7.3-5)
Qin h3 − h2

The back work ratio for the cycle is

Wc h −h
bwr = = 2 1 (7.3-6)
Wt h3 − h4

For an ideal air-standard Brayton cycle, there are no frictional pressure drops, and the air
flows at constant pressure through the heat exchangers. The processes through the turbine
and compressor are assumed to be isentropic.
p T
3
a
2 3
isobaric
isentropic
4
2
1 4
b 1
v b a s
Figure 7.3-2 Air-standard ideal Brayton cycle

The areas on the pv diagram can provide the work performed and areas on the Ts diagram
can provide the heat transferred. On the pv diagram, area 1-2-a-b-1 represents the compressor
work input per unit of mass and area 3-4-b-a-3 is the turbine work output per unit of mass.
The enclosed area 1-2-3-4 is the net work output. On the Ts diagram,area 2-3-a-b-2
represents the heat added per unit of mass and area 1-4-a-b-1 represents the heat rejected per
unit of mass. The enclosed area 1-2-3-4 is the net heat added.

7-20
When an ideal Brayton cycle is analyzed on a cold air-standard, the specific heats are
constants. The temperatures and pressures for the adiabatic compression and expansion
processes 1-2 and 3-4 respectively are related by the following equations:

( k −1) / k
p2
T2 = T1 (7.3-7)
p1

( k −1) / k ( k −1) / k
p4 p1
T4 = T3 = T3 (7.3-8)
p3 p2

In these equations, k is the specific heat ratio, k = cp/cv. The change in entropy with respect to
temperature and pressure for ideal gas is given by

T2 dT p
s2 − s1 = cp − R ln 2 (7.3-9)
T1 T p1

T2 dT
The integral cp can be written as
T1 T

T2 dT T2 dT T2 dT
cp = cp − cp = so(T2) − so(T1)
T1 T T' T T' T

In this equation so(T) can be obtained from data table for air, for example Table A22 in
Moran’s text8.

T(K), h and u(kJ/kg), s° (kJ/kg·K)

when s = 01 when s = 0
T h u s° pr vr T h u s° pr vr
200 199.97 142.56 1.29559 0.3363 1707. 450 451.80 322.62 2.11161 5.775 223.6
210 209.97 149.69 1.34444 0.3987 1512. 460 462.02 329.97 2.13407 6.245 211.4
220 219.97 156.82 1.39105 0.4690 1346. 470 472.24 337.32 2.15604 6.742 200.1
230 230.02 164.00 1.43557 0.5477 1205. 480 482.49 344.70 2.17760 7.268 189.5
240 240.02 171.13 1.47824 0.6355 1084. 490 492.74 352.08 2.19876 7.824 179.7
250 250.05 178.28 1.51917 0.7329 979. 500 503.02 359.49 2.21952 8.411 170.6

Equation (7.3-9) becomes

p2
s2 − s1 = so(T2) − so(T1) − R ln (7.3-9)
p1

8
Moran, M. J. and Shapiro H. N., Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Wiley, 2008, pg. 853
7-21
For two states having the same specific entropy, Eq. (7.3-9) reduces to

p2
0 = so(T2) − so(T1) − R ln (7.3-10)
p1

This equation can be rearranged to

p2 s o (T2 ) − s o (T1 ) exp s o (T2 ) / R p

= exp = = r2 (7.3-11)
p1 R o
exp s (T1 ) / R pr1

In this equation, the quantity exp[so(T2)/R] is a function of temperature only and is given the
symbol pr2 = pr(T2). Table A22 lists pr(T) as a function of temperature.

Example 7.3-19. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air enters the compressor of an ideal air-standard Brayton cycle at 100 kPa, 300 K, with a
volumetric flow rate of 5 m3/s. The compressor pressure ratio is 10. The turbine inlet
temperature is 1400 K. Determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, (b) the back work
ratio, (c) the net power developed, in kW.
Solution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Qin
p2= 1000 kPa T3=1400 K
Heat exchanger
2 3
T3=1400 K 3

isobaric
Compressor Turbine a
kP 4
Air-standard 000
Brayton cycle 2 1
Pa
T1=300 K T1=300 K 1 0k
1 4 10
p1= 100 kPa Heat exchanger
b a s
Qout

From Table A-22, h1 = 300.19 kJ/kg and pr1 = 1.386 at T1 = 300 K

Process 1-2 is isentropy, we have

p2 p p2
= r2 pr2 = pr1 = (1.386)(10) = 13.86
p1 pr1 p1

9
Moran, M. J. and Shapiro H. N., Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Wiley, 2008, pg. 464
7-22
 T(K), h and u(kJ/kg), s° (kJ/kg·K)
when s = 01 when s = 0
T h u s° pr vr T h u s° pr vr
300 300.19 214.07 1.70203 1.3860 621.2 570 575.59 411.97 2.35531 13.50 121.2
305 305.22 217.67 1.71865 1.4686 596.0 580 586.04 419.55 2.37348 14.38 115.7
440 441.61 315.30 2.08870 5.332 236.8 740 756.44 544.02 2.63280 35.50 59.82
750 767.29 551.99 2.64737 37.35 57.63 1300 1395.97 1022.82 3.27345 330.9 11.275
760 778.18 560.01 2.66176 39.27 55.54 1320 1419.76 1040.88 3.29160 352.5 10.747
770 789.11 568.07 2.67595 41.31 53.39 1340 1443.60 1058.94 3.30959 375.3 10.247
780 800.03 576.12 2.69013 43.35 51.64 1360 1467.49 1077.10 3.32724 399.1 9.780
790 810.99 584.21 2.70400 45.55 49.86 1380 1491.44 1095.26 3.34474 424.2 9.337
800 821.95 592.30 2.71787 47.75 48.08 1400 1515.42 1113.52 3.36200 450.5 8.919

Interpolating in Table A22, we obtain h2 = 579.9 kJ/kg

h pr
575.59 13.50
586.04 14.38

From Table A-22, h3 = 1515.42 kJ/kg and pr3 = 450.5 at T3 = 1400 K

Process 3-4 is isentropy, we have

p4 p p4
= r4 pr4 = pr3 = (450.5)(0.1) = 45.05
p3 pr 3 p3

Interpolating in Table A22, we obtain h4 = 808.5 kJ/kg

(a) The thermal efficiency of the cycle

η=
(W / m ) − (W
t c / m)
=
( h3 − h4 ) − ( h2 − h1 )
Qin / m h3 − h2

η=
(1515.4 − 808.5) − ( 579.9 − 300.19 ) = 0.457
1515.4 − 579.9

7-23
(b) The back work ratio

Wc h −h 579.9 − 300.19
bwr = = 2 1 = = 0.396
Wt h3 − h4 1515.4 − 808.5

(c) The net power developed, in kW

Wcycle = m [(h3 − h4) − (h2 − h1)]

The air mass flow rate is given by

( AV )1 p1
m = = (AV)1
v1 RT1

105 N/m 2 1 kJ
m = (5.0 m3/s) = 5.807 kg/s
8.314 kJ 10 N ⋅ m
3
(300 K)
28.97 kg ⋅ K

The power developed is then

Wcycle = (5.807 kg/s)[(1515.4 − 808.5) − (579.9 − 300.19)] kJ/kg

Wcycle = 2481 kW

Alternate solution

We can also solve this problem using the assumption of constant specific heat with k = 1.4.

The temperature at state 2 is then

( k −1) / k
p2
T2 = T1 = (300)(10)0.4/1.4 = 579.2 K
p1

The temperature at state 4 is

( k −1) / k
p4
T4 = T3 = (1400)(0.1)0.4/1.4 = 725.1 K
p3

We obtain the specific enthalpies at the four temperatures and list the values in Table E 7.3-1.

Due to the assumption of constant specific heats, the entropy at state 1 is slightly different
than the value at state 2. Similarly the entropy at state 3 is slightly different than the value at
state 4.
7-24
 Table E7.3-1
Specific Specific
Entropy Enthalpy
Temp Pressure (Mass) (Mass)
K MPa kJ/kg/K kJ/kg
1 300 0.1 6.869 300.5
2 579.2 1 6.878 585.5
3 1400 1 7.868 1515
4 725.1 0.1 7.778 740.6

(a) The thermal efficiency of the cycle

η=
(W / m ) − (W
t c / m)
=
( h3 − h4 ) − ( h2 − h1 )
Qin / m h3 − h2

η=
(1515 − 740.6 ) − ( 585.5 − 300.5 ) = 0.5265
1515 − 585.5

(b) The back work ratio

Wc h −h 585.5 − 300.5
bwr = = 2 1 = = 0.368
Wt h3 − h4 1515 − 740.6

(c) The net power developed, in kW

Wcycle = m [(h3 − h4) − (h2 − h1)]

Wcycle = (5.807 kg/s)[(1515.4 − 740.6) − (585.5 − 300.5)] kJ/kg

Wcycle = 2263 kW

The working fluid would experience increases in specific entropy across the compressor and
turbine due to frictional effect. These losses can be accounted for using the isentropic turbine
and compressor efficiencies given by:

ηt =
(W / m )
t
=
h3 − h4
, and
(W / m )
t s
h3 − h4 s

ηc =
(W / m )
c s
=
h2 s − h1
(W / m )
c
h2 − h1

The actual work obtained from the turbine is less than the isentropic work and the actual
work required for the compressor is larger than the isentropic work.

7-25
Example 7.3-19. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air enters the compressor of an ideal air-standard Brayton cycle at 100 kPa, 300 K, with a
volumetric flow rate of 5 m3/s. The compressor pressure ratio is 10. The turbine inlet
temperature is 1400 K. Determine (a) the thermal efficiency of the cycle, (b) the back work
ratio, (c) the net power developed, in kW.
Solution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Qin
p2= 1000 kPa T3=1400 K
Heat exchanger
2 3
T3=1400 K 3

isobaric 4
Compressor Turbine a
kP
Air-standard 2s 2 00 4s
Brayton cycle 10
Pa
T1=300 K T1=300 K 1 0k
1 4 10
p1= 100 kPa Heat exchanger
b a s
Qout

From Table A-22, h1 = 300.19 kJ/kg and pr1 = 1.386 at T1 = 300 K

Process 1-2s is isentropy, we have

p2 s p p2 s
= r 2s pr2s = pr1 = (1.386)(10) = 13.86
p1 pr1 p1

T(K), h and u(kJ/kg), s° (kJ/kg·K)

when s = 01 when s = 0
T h u s° pr vr T h u s° pr vr
300 300.19 214.07 1.70203 1.3860 621.2 570 575.59 411.97 2.35531 13.50 121.2
305 305.22 217.67 1.71865 1.4686 596.0 580 586.04 419.55 2.37348 14.38 115.7
780 800.03 576.12 2.69013 43.35 51.64 1360 1467.49 1077.10 3.32724 399.1 9.780
790 810.99 584.21 2.70400 45.55 49.86 1380 1491.44 1095.26 3.34474 424.2 9.337
800 821.95 592.30 2.71787 47.75 48.08 1400 1515.42 1113.52 3.36200 450.5 8.919

Interpolating in Table A22, we obtain h2s = 579.9 kJ/kg

From Table A-22, h3 = 1515.42 kJ/kg and pr3 = 450.5 at T3 = 1400 K

9
Moran, M. J. and Shapiro H. N., Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Wiley, 2008, pg. 464
7-26
Process 3-4s is isentropy, we have

p4 s p p4 s
= r 4s pr4s = pr3 = (450.5)(0.1) = 45.05
p3 pr 3 p3

Interpolating in Table A22, we obtain h4s = 808.5 kJ/kg

(a) The thermal efficiency of the cycle

ηt =
(W / m )
t
=
h3 − h4
= 0.8
(W / m )
t s
h3 − h4 s

(W / m )
t s
= h3 − h4s = 1515.42 − 808.5 = 706.92 kJ/kg

Wt / m = (0.8)(706.92) = 565.54 kJ/kg

ηc =
(W / m )
c s
=
h2 s − h1
= 0.8
(W / m )
c
h2 − h1

(W c / m ) = h2s − h1 = 579.9 − 300.19 = 279.71 kJ/kg

s

Wc / m = 279.71/0.8 = 349.64 kJ/kg = h2 − h1

h2 = h1 + Wc / m = 300.19 + 349.64 = 649.83 kJ/kg

Qin / m = h3 − h2 = 1515.42 − 649.83 = 865.59 kJ/kg

η=
(W / m ) − (W
t c / m)
=
565.54 − 349.64
= 0.2494
Qin / m 649.83

(b) The back work ratio

Wc / m 349.64
bwr = = = 0.6182
Wt / m 565.54

(c) The net power developed, in kW

Wcycle = m (Wt / m − Wc / m )

The air mass flow rate is given by

7-27
 ( AV )1 p1
m = = (AV)1
v1 RT1

105 N/m 2 1 kJ
m = (5.0 m3/s) = 5.807 kg/s
8.314 kJ 10 N ⋅ m
3
(300 K)
28.97 kg ⋅ K

The power developed is then

Wcycle = (5.807 kg/s)(565.54 − 349.64) kJ/kg

Wcycle = 1254 kW

7-28