Difference between revisions of "Brayton cycle"
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The Brayton cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that can be used for power generation. | The Brayton cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that can be used for power generation. | ||
It uses a gas a working medium. | It uses a gas a working medium. | ||
| − | An airplane turbo engine is an example of an open Brayton cycle | + | *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. | + | *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. | + | *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. | + | *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. | 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 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. | + | *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. | + | *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 11:10, 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.
