This paper presents the experimental results of a micro gas turbine driven by pulse, pressure gain combustor. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the improvement of the engine performance by applying the pressure gain combustion. The micro gas turbine is composed of two combustion chambers and an automotive turbocharger which is used as a compressor and a turbine. The outlets of two combustion chambers are joined by a confluence part to connect with the turbine. By changing the combustion methods of each combustion chamber, the gas turbine was operated in the following three modes; normal combustion mode, pulse combustion augmented mode, and fully pulse detonation mode. In the normal combustion mode, two combustion chambers were operated under continuous, deflagrative combustion. In the pulse combustion augmented mode, one combustion chamber was operated under continuous, deflagrative combustion and the other was operated under pulse combustion or pulse detonation. In the fully pulse detonation mode, two combustion chambers were operated under pulse detonation. To easily attain detonation, hydrogen was used. The repetitive rate of pulse combustion and detonation was varied from 10 to 40 cycles per second. The engine performance such as thermal efficiency and specific power and operating characteristics of gas turbine were investigated for three operation modes. In the pulse combustion augmented mode, a few percent of increase in time-averaged pressure at the turbine inlet resulted in the increase of performance comparing with the normal combustion mode. The strong fluctuation of pressure by pulse combustion affected the compressor operation. The mass flow of discharged air largely fluctuated and the time-averaged mass flow rate decreased whereas the pressure increased, resulted in the change of operation line in the compressor map. Although the gas turbine is still under transient operation in the fully pulse detonation mode, the larger pressure increase was observed comparing with that in the pulse combustion augmented mode.


Performance and Operating Characteristics of Micro Gas Turbine Driven by Pulse, Pressure Gain Combustor

Division / Sponsor:
International Gas Turbine Institute (IGTI)

Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/GT/GT2020/volume/84058

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