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