Evaluation of three gas turbine systems for high temperature solar applications

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5902489

Spasyk, M; Boehm, R

This study focuses on the analysis of three types of Brayton cycles. The impetus for this study is the need to define possible higher temperature successors for Rankine-based engines in solar central receiver power generating systems. Steam-injected gas turbine engines (denoted in what follows as ''STIG'') and the more conventional regenerated-intercooled-reheat forms (denoted as ''IGT'') are compared to simple Brayton cycles (denoted as ''GT'') by computer modeling over a wide range of pertinent parameters. Attempts are made to represent the systems with realistic component performances. Results show that efficiencies were highest for the IGT followed by the STIG and GT, respectively. Considerable improvements in specific work output were demonstrated by the STIG over both the IGT and GT systems. First Law analysis of the effect of turbine inlet temperature shows a gradual increase of efficiency with turbine inlet temperature, with diminishing returns at higher temperatures. Although there are significant practical problems associated with higher temperature applications, both in terms of engine and receiver considerations, they do not seem to be insurmountable. These results demonstrate reason for optimism about increased performance for higher temperature air-based systems compared to Rankine systems at presently used temperatures.

• OSTI ID: 5902489
• Report Number(s): CONF-861211-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990220 -- Computers
Computerized Models
& Computer Programs-- (1987-1989)
BRAYTON CYCLE
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
COOLING SYSTEMS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINES
GAS TURBINE ENGINES
GAS TURBINES
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MACHINERY
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE
POWER PLANTS
RANKINE CYCLE
REGENERATION
SIMULATION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY