Calingasan II, Leonardo B.

Isentropic Expansion in Gas Turbine

P-V diagram of an isentropic expansion of helium (3 → 4) in a gas turbine.

Assume an isentropic expansion of helium (3 → 4) in a gas turbine. Since helium

behaves almost as an ideal gas, use the ideal gas law to calculate outlet temperature of
the gas (T4,is). In this turbines the high-pressure stage receives gas (point 3 at the figure;
p3 = 6.7 MPa; T3 = 1190 K (917°C)) from a heat exchanger and exhaust it to another heat
exchanger, where the outlet pressure is p4 = 2.78 MPa (point 4).

Solution:

The outlet temperature of the gas, T4,is, can be calculated using p, V, T Relation for
isentropic process (reversible adiabatic process):

In this equation the factor for helium is equal to κ=cp/cv=1.66. From the previous equation
follows that the outlet temperature of the gas, T4,is, is:
Let assume the ideal Brayton cycle that
describes the workings of a constant
pressure heat engine. Modern gas
turbine engines and airbreathing jet
engines also follow the Brayton cycle.

Ideal Brayton cycle consist of four

thermodynamic processes. Two isentropic
processes and two isobaric processes.

1. isentropic compression – ambient air is

drawn into the compressor, where it is
pressurized (1 → 2). The work required
for the compressor is given by WC = H2 –
H1. Ideal Brayton cycle consist of
2. isobaric heat addition – the compressed air four thermodynamic processes.
then runs through a combustion chamber, Two isentropic processes and
where fuel is burned and air or another two isobaric processes.
medium is heated (2 → 3). It is a constant-
pressure process, since the chamber is open
to flow in and out. The net heat added is given by Qadd = H3 – H2
3. isentropic expansion – the heated, pressurized air then expands on turbine, gives
up its energy. The work done by turbine is given by WT = H4 – H3
4. isobaric heat rejection – the residual heat must be rejected in order to close the
cycle. The net heat rejected is given by Qre = H4 – H1
Air is allowed to flow from a reservoir with temperature of 21∘C21∘C and with pressure of
5[MPa] through a tube. It was measured that air mass flow rate is 1[kg/sec]. At some point
on the tube static pressure was measured to be 3[MPa]. Assume that process is isentropic
and neglect the velocity at the reservoir, calculate the Mach number, velocity, and the
cross section area at that point where the static pressure was measured. Assume that
the ratio of specific heat is k=Cp/Cv=1.4k=Cp/Cv=1.4.

SOLUTION
The stagnation conditions at the reservoir will be maintained throughout the tube because
the process is isentropic. Hence the stagnation temperature can be
written T0=constantT0=constant and P0=constantP0=constant and both of them are
known (the condition at the reservoir). For the point where the static pressure is known,
the Mach number can be calculated by utilizing the pressure ratio. With the known Mach
number, the temperature, and velocity can be calculated. Finally, the cross section can
be calculated with all these information. In the point where the static pressure known

From Table (??) or from Figure (??) or utilizing the enclosed program, Potto-GDC, or
simply using the equations shows that

With these values the static temperature and the density can be calculated.
The velocity at that point is

The tube area can be obtained from the mass conservation as

For a circular tube the diameter is about 1[cm].

Gas flows through a converging–diverging duct. At point "A'' the cross section area
is 5050 [cm2cm2] and the Mach number was measured to be 0.4. At point B in the duct
the cross section area is 40 [cm2cm2]. Find the Mach number at point B. Assume that the
flow is isentropic and the gas specific heat ratio is 1.4.

SOLUTION
To obtain the Mach number at point B by finding the ratio of the area to the critical area.
This relationship can be obtained by

With the value from the Table or from Potto-GDC two solutions can be obtained. The
two possible solutions: the first supersonic M = 1.6265306 and second subsonic M =
0.53884934. Both solution are possible and acceptable. The supersonic branch solution
is possible only if there where a transition at throat where M=1.