Explanation:

A power plant that uses both gas and steam turbines for electricity generation is called a combined cycle power plant. It is a highly efficient power plant that produces electricity by utilizing the heat from two different sources. The gas turbine followed by a steam turbine is used in a combined cycle power plant to produce electricity.

Brayton cycle:

The Brayton cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that describes the operation of a gas turbine engine. The cycle consists of four processes: compression, heat addition, expansion, and heat rejection. The cycle is named after George Brayton, an American engineer who developed the first commercial gas turbine engine in 1872.

The cycle is composed of four main components:

1. Compressor: The compressor is the first component of the cycle. It compresses the air that enters the engine, increasing its pressure and temperature.

2. Combustor: The compressed air is then mixed with fuel and burned in the combustor, which releases energy in the form of heat.

3. Turbine: The hot, high-pressure gases produced by the combustor flow through the turbine, spinning its blades and generating mechanical energy.

4. Exhaust: The exhaust gases are then discharged from the turbine and expelled into the atmosphere.

Combined cycle:

In a combined cycle power plant, the exhaust gases from the gas turbine are used to heat water and create steam. The steam is then used to power a steam turbine, which generates additional electricity. This process is known as a combined cycle because it combines two different thermodynamic cycles (the Brayton cycle and the Rankine cycle) to produce electricity.

Advantages of combined cycle power plant:

1. High efficiency: Combined cycle power plants are highly efficient, with a typical efficiency of around 60%.

2. Low emissions: Combined cycle power plants produce lower emissions than traditional power plants, making them more environmentally friendly.

3. Quick start-up: Combined cycle power plants can be started up quickly, allowing them to respond quickly to changes in electricity demand.

4. Reliability: Combined cycle power plants are highly reliable, with a low risk of downtime or failure.

A combined cycle power plant uses both a gas turbine and steam turbine to produce 50% more electricity from the same fuel