Thermodynamic and Energy Study of a Regenerator in Gas Turbine Cycle and Optimization of Performances

In this paper, thermodynamic study of simple and regenerative gas turbine cycles is exhibited. Firstly, thermodynamic models for both cycles are defined; thermal efficiencies of both cycles are determined, the overall heat transfer coefficient through the heat exchanger is calculated in order to determinate its performances and parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of compressor inlet temperature, turbine inlet temperature and compressor pressure ratio on the parameters that measure cycles' performance. Subsequently, numerical optimization is established through EES software to determinate operating conditions. The results of parametric study have shown a significant impact of operating parameters on the performance of the cycle. According to this study, the regeneration technique improves the thermal efficiency by 10%. The studied regenerator has an important effectiveness (Eœ 82%) which improves the heat transfer exchange; also a high compressor pressure ratio and an important combustion temperature can increase thermal efficiency.