Inter-cooling in gas turbinesa)Decreases net output but increases ther...
Inter-cooling in gas turbine is used to compress air in two stages with intercooling. With inter-cooling the work to be done on compressor decreases and thus net output of turbine increases. However more heat has to be added in combustion chamber which results in decrease in thermal efficiency.
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Inter-cooling in gas turbinesa)Decreases net output but increases ther...
Inter-cooling in gas turbines:
Inter-cooling is a process used in gas turbines to improve their performance by reducing the temperature of the compressed air between stages. This is achieved by cooling the compressed air before it enters the combustion chamber, typically using a heat exchanger or a cooling medium such as water or air.
Impact on net output:
Inter-cooling in gas turbines has a positive impact on the net output. When the compressed air is cooled before entering the combustion chamber, its density increases. This results in a higher mass flow rate of air, which in turn leads to increased power output from the turbine. Therefore, inter-cooling increases the net output of the gas turbine.
Impact on thermal efficiency:
However, inter-cooling in gas turbines has a negative impact on thermal efficiency. The thermal efficiency of a gas turbine is the ratio of the useful work output to the energy input. When the compressed air is cooled, its temperature decreases, resulting in a lower combustion temperature in the combustion chamber. A lower combustion temperature leads to a decrease in the thermal efficiency of the gas turbine.
Explanation of the correct answer:
Option 'B' states that inter-cooling increases net output but decreases thermal efficiency. This is the correct answer because, as explained above, inter-cooling increases the net output of the gas turbine by increasing the mass flow rate of air. However, it decreases the thermal efficiency of the gas turbine by reducing the combustion temperature.
To summarize:
- Inter-cooling in gas turbines increases the net output by increasing the mass flow rate of air.
- Inter-cooling decreases the thermal efficiency by reducing the combustion temperature.
Therefore, option 'B' is the correct answer.
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