Engineering Software
Expansion Analysis
Expansion
Introduction
This section provides an isentropic expansion analysis when the working fluid is air.
Analysis
In the presented expansion analysis, only air is considered as the working fluid behaving as a perfect gas -- specific heat has a constant value. Ideal gas state equation is valid -- pv = RT.
Air enters a turbine at point 1 and it exits the turbine at point 2. Isentropic expansion is considered with no entropy change.
Figure 1 presents an expansion schematic layout.
Figure 1 - Expansion Schematic Layout
Figure 2 presents an expansion temperature vs entropy diagram.
Figure 2 - Expansion Temperature vs Entropy Diagram
Figure 3 presents expansion specific power output values for a few typical expansion ratio values. It should be noted that the air enters the turbine at the temperature of 1,500 [K] and the turbine exhaust pressure is always equal to the standard ambient pressure -- 1 [atm] of absolute pressure.
Figure 3 - Expansion Specific Power Output
Figure 4 presents expansion power output values for two typical expansion ratio values and a few different working fluid mass flow rate values for a fixed expansion inlet temperature.
Figure 4 - Expansion Power Output
One can notice that both expansion specific power output and power output increase with an increase in the expansion ratio values. As the working fluid mass flow rate increases for a fixed expansion inlet temperature, the expansion power output values increase too.
Assumptions
Working fluid is air. There is no friction and heat transfer. Expansion is isentropic -- there is no entropy change. Ideal gas state equation is valid -- pv = RT. Air behaves as a perfect gas -- specific heat has a constant value.
Governing Equations
T1/T2 = (p1/p2)^(Ï°-1)/Ï°
Ï° = cp/cv
cp - cv = R
pv = RT
w = cp(T1 - T2)
W = cp(T1 - T2)m
Input Data
T1 = 1,500 [K]
p1 = 5, 10 and 15 [atm]
p2 = 1 [atm]
R = 0.2867 [kJ/kg*K]
cp = 1.004 [kJ/kg*K]
Ï° = 1.4 [/]
m = 50, 100 and 150 [kg/s]
Results
Specific Power Output vs Expansion Ratio
Expansion Inlet Temperature = 1,500 [K]
Compression
Ratio
[/]
5
10
15
Specific Power
Input
[kW/kg/s]
174
278
349
Power Output vs Expansion Ratio for a few Mass Flow Rates
Expansion Inlet Temperature = 1,500 [K]
Power Output
[MW]
Compression Ratio
[/]
5
15
Mass Flow Rate
[kg/s]
50
27.8
40.6
100
55.5
81.1
150
83.3
121.7
Conclusions
Both expansion specific power output and power output increase with an increase in the expansion ratio values. As the working fluid mass flow rate increases for a fixed expansion inlet temperature, the expansion power output values increase too.
References
JANAF Thermochemical Data - Tables, 1970