Gas Turbine Engine: Combustion, Thermal Efficiency, and Systems Overview

Running Head: GAS TURBINE ENGINE 1
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GAS TURBINE ENGINE 2
Gas Turbine Engine
 Why the combustors are able to maintain a stable flame in a stream of high velocity air
without blowing out, when A/F ratios are in the order of 70 to 100:1. Given that this is
the case, how is combustion initiated and maintained?
For the working of the combustor, there is a need for the high-pressure air. The compression
systems facilitate the feeding of high-pressure air in the combustion engine. In the combustor,
heating is always the main process taking place. The combustor facilitates the heating of the
high-pressure air at a constant pressure. With air/ fuel ratio of 70:100, the amount is not large
hence can be considered as moderate. Heat is released by the combustor to facilitate the ignition.
The release is done in a manner that will facilitate the expansion and acceleration of the air. The
result will be a smooth and stable heated gas, a condition that will be seen at the starting and
operating conditions. Maintaining the combustion process, primary air is used. It is done by
pumping the primary air in the primary zone of the cans in the combustor. Controlling the flame
pattern is also ensured, the secondary air does the role. The air will then have to be transferred to
the turbine after heating. The process takes place through the nozzle guide vanes. However, the
case is different with scramjet engine as the air will be fed directly into the nozzle (Grinstein,
2016).
 How does thermal efficiency vary with operating temperatures? How does the design of
turbine blades enable higher combustion temperatures to be used without degradation of
the blades?
In the calculation of energy conversion efficiency, one has to attain the ration of the useful
output of a device, and in the input, it is always done in energy terms. Thermal efficiency also
displays variation with operating temperatures, that do come as the result of the heat changes.