Difference between revisions of "Brayton cycle"
(Created page with "The Brayton cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that can be used for power generation. It uses a gas a working medium. An airplane turbo engine is an example of an open Brayton cyc...") |
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A nuclear reactor power plant using helium cooling is an example of a closed Brayton cycle. | A nuclear reactor power plant using helium cooling is an example of a closed Brayton cycle. | ||
| − | The ideal equation for a Brayton cycle is ef=1- | + | The ideal equation for a Brayton cycle is efficiency(ef) = 1-Tc/Th. |
| − | + | An actual Brayton engine has a number of inefficiencies and non-reversible, so the actual efficiency is significantly lower. | |
| + | So for a high efficiency Brayton cycle, Th needs to be significantly higher than Tc. | ||
| + | |||
| + | For example, with an efficiency of 40% Tc/Th is 0,6. If Tc is 500K, then Th is 830K. | ||
| + | For the same example at 60% efficiency, Tc/Th=0,4, and for a TC of 500K Th is 1250K. | ||
| + | |||
| + | If applied to a closed cycle used on Mars, Tc is the radiator temperature, and Th would be the temperature of the reactor core. | ||
Revision as of 11:09, 2 October 2022
The Brayton cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that can be used for power generation. It uses a gas a working medium. An airplane turbo engine is an example of an open Brayton cycle A nuclear reactor power plant using helium cooling is an example of a closed Brayton cycle.
The ideal equation for a Brayton cycle is efficiency(ef) = 1-Tc/Th. An actual Brayton engine has a number of inefficiencies and non-reversible, so the actual efficiency is significantly lower. So for a high efficiency Brayton cycle, Th needs to be significantly higher than Tc.
For example, with an efficiency of 40% Tc/Th is 0,6. If Tc is 500K, then Th is 830K. For the same example at 60% efficiency, Tc/Th=0,4, and for a TC of 500K Th is 1250K.
If applied to a closed cycle used on Mars, Tc is the radiator temperature, and Th would be the temperature of the reactor core.
