Adapted Aero Gas Turbines

Abstract

All heat engines operate on basically the same principle. In the simple non-condensing steam turbine, water is compressed by the boiler feed pump, heat is added in the external boiler to produce steam at constant pressure, which is then expanded through a turbine and exhausted to atmosphere. The turbine produces sufficient shaft power to drive the water feed pump, all the necessary engine accessories and an alternator, to produce electricity, or some other device to perform useful work. Note, that it is the pressure exerted by the boiler feed pump which decides the pressure in the cycle, not the boiler safety valve, which, as its name implies, operates only in an emergency. (Fig.la).