Gas turbines are a type of internal combustion engine that convert the chemical energy of fuel into mechanical energy, which can then be used to generate electricity or power machinery. Their operation is based on the Brayton cycle, a thermodynamic process involving four key stages: compression, combustion, expansion, and exhaust. This continuous flow engine efficiently produces power by harnessing the force of hot, expanding gases.
The process begins with the compressor, which draws in ambient air and rapidly pressurizes it. This compression significantly increases the air’s temperature and density. The high-pressure, preheated air then flows into the combustion chamber, where it mixes with fuel (often natural gas, but various other fuels can be used). An ignition system ignites this mixture, causing a rapid and continuous combustion that generates a high-temperature, high-pressure gas stream.
These superheated gases then enter the turbine section, which is an intricate arrangement of rotating and stationary blades. As the hot, high-pressure gases expand through the turbine, they impart their energy to the rotating blades, causing the turbine shaft to spin at high speeds. A significant portion of this mechanical energy is used to drive the compressor, ensuring a continuous supply of compressed air. The remaining rotational energy is then transferred to a generator, where it is converted into electricity.
Siemens Energy is a leading global player in gas turbine technology, developing and manufacturing a wide range of gas turbines for various applications, including power generation and mechanical drives in the oil and gas industry. They are known for their robust and versatile engines, designed for both peak and base load duties, and their commitment to innovation in efficiency and emission reduction. Siemens Energy’s gas turbines, like their HL-class, are continuously refined with advanced designs and cooling features, enabling higher operating temperatures and thus greater efficiency, even exploring the use of 100% hydrogen as a clean fuel source for a more sustainable energy future.
