ABSTRACT
Gas turbine engines are used to produce thrust for aircraft and electrical power for stationary applications. As shown schematically in Figure 11.1, the basic components of a gas turbine engine consist of a rotary compressor, a combustor, a turbine that drives the compressor, and a load such as an electric generator. In aircraft applications the combustion products are expanded through the turbine and exhausted at high velocity to produce thrust. Gas turbines have a high energy output per unit volume compared to piston engines and hence are well suited for aircraft applications. In industrial and utility applications the turbine generates shaft power, and the exhaust can be used in a heat recovery steam generator for process heat or to drive a steam turbine in a combined cycle. In a combined cycle, electric power is produced from both the gas turbine and the steam turbine. Aircraft gas turbines use liquid distillate fuels, and stationary gas turbines use both gaseous fuels and liquid fuels.
