Design of Gas Turbine Power Plant for University of Lagos

Saka Oluwadamilola
110404085

Mechanical Engineering
University Of Lagos

A Class Project in:

MEG401: TURBOMACHINERY
Engr. Francis Onoroh

Table of Contents
Design of Gas Turbine Power Plant for University of Lagos.........................................................................................1
I.

ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................................................3

II.

NOTATION.......................................................................................................................................................4

III.

INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................5

IV.

THEORY...........................................................................................................................................................7

A.

THEORY OF OPERATION..............................................................................................................................7

B.

BRAYTON CYCLE..........................................................................................................................................8

C.

COMPONENTS OF A GAS TURBINE PLANT.............................................................................................8

1.

Compressor....................................................................................................................................................8

2.

Combustion Chamber..................................................................................................................................13

3.

Gas Turbines................................................................................................................................................15

4.

Vortex Blading.............................................................................................................................................15

D.

GAS TURBINE FUELS..................................................................................................................................16

E.

ADVANTAGES OF DISADVANTAGES OF GAS TURBINE POWER PLANT........................................16

1.

Advantages..................................................................................................................................................16

2.

Disadvantages..............................................................................................................................................16

F.

TURBINE PERFORMANCE.........................................................................................................................17
1.

Turbine Power Output.................................................................................................................................17

2.

System Efficiency........................................................................................................................................17

V.

UNILAG POWER CONSUMPTION REPORT.............................................................................................18

VI.

POWER PLANT DESIGN..............................................................................................................................19

A.

TURBINE DESIGN DATA.............................................................................................................................19

B.

DESIGN ANALYSIS......................................................................................................................................19
3.

Velocity Diagram.........................................................................................................................................20

4.

Velocities.....................................................................................................................................................20

5.

Work done...................................................................................................................................................21

6.

Efficiency....................................................................................................................................................22

7.

Mass flow rate.............................................................................................................................................23

VII.

POWER PLANT ECONOMICS.....................................................................................................................24

VIII.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS..........................................................................................................................26

IX.

RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................................27

X.

CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................................28

XI.

REFERENCES................................................................................................................................................29

I.

ABSTRACT

The gas turbine engine is gaining acceptance throughout the world as a reliable, flexible and efficient power
generation plant. The more advanced the technology, the higher the generated power and efficiency. This paper aims
to design a gas turbine power plant to generate power for the University of Lagos community. This design is
concerned with finding the particulars of the geometry, gas angles, flow velocities, work done and mass flow rate.
The overall performance and stage efficiency are evaluated. The financial analysis of the plant is done, and
corresponding costs are calculated. The cost per kWh is calculated and compared with the Nigeria Federal
Government distribution cost per kWh. Finally, several recommendations are made for optimum performance of the
gas turbine power plant.

II.

NOTATION

absolute velocity, m/s

Ca

axial velocity, m/s

Cp

specific heat at constant pressure, kJ/kgK

Cv

specific heat at constant volume, kJ/kgK

enthalpy, kJ/kg

distance along blade span measured from root, m

mass flow rate, kg/s

number of blades

rotational speed of blade row, rpm

radius, m

blade speed, m/s

specific power output, kW

ratio of specific heats

stage efficiency, %

degree of reaction

density, kg/m3

III.

INTRODUCTION

Of all the forms of energy, electricity is the easiest to produce, to transport, to use and to control. So, it is mostly the
terminal form of energy for transmission and distribution. Electricity in bulk quantities is produced in power plants,
which can be of the following types: (a) Thermal, (b) Nuclear, (c) Hydraulic, (d) Geothermal and (e) Gas turbine.
Thermal, nuclear and geothermal power plants work with steam as the working fluid and have many similarities in
their cycle and structure. A Gas Turbine is an engine that employs gas flow as the working medium by which heat
energy is transformed into mechanical energy. The use of gas turbines for generating electricity dates back to 1939.
Today, gas turbines are one of the most widely-used power generating technologies. Gas turbines are a type of
internal combustion (IC) engine in which burning of an air-fuel mixture produces hot gases that spin a turbine to
produce power. It is the production of hot gas during fuel combustion, not the fuel itself that the gives gas turbines
the name. Gas turbines can utilize a variety of fuels, including natural gas, fuel oils, and synthetic fuels. Combustion
occurs continuously in gas turbines, as opposed to reciprocating IC engines, in which combustion occurs
intermittently. Gas turbines are comprised of three primary sections mounted on the same shaft: the compressor, the
combustion chamber (or combustor) and the turbine. The compressor can be either axial flow or centrifugal flow.
Axial flow compressors are more common in power generation because they have higher flow rates and efficiencies.
Axial flow compressors are comprised of multiple stages of rotating and stationary blades (or stators) through which
air is drawn in parallel to the axis of rotation and incrementally compressed as it passes through each stage. The
acceleration of the air through the rotating blades and diffusion by the stators increases the pressure and reduces the
volume of the air. Although no heat is added, the compression of the air also causes the temperature to increase. The
compressed air is mixed with fuel injected through nozzles. The fuel and compressed air can be pre-mixed or the
compressed air can be introduced directly into the combustor. The fuel-air mixture ignites under constant pressure
conditions and the hot combustion products (gases) are directed through the turbine where it expands rapidly and
imparts rotation to the shaft. The turbine is also comprised of stages, each with a row of stationary blades (or
nozzles) to direct the expanding gases followed by a row of moving blades. The rotation of the shaft drives the
compressor to draw in and compress more air to sustain continuous combustion. The remaining shaft power is used
to drive a generator which produces electricity. Approximately 55 to 65 percent of the power produced by the
turbine is used to drive the compressor. To optimize the transfer of kinetic energy from the combustion gases to shaft
rotation, gas turbines can have multiple compressor and turbine stages. Because the compressor must reach a certain

speed before the combustion process is continuous or self-sustaining initial momentum is imparted to the turbine
rotor from an external motor, static frequency converter, or the generator itself. The compressor must be smoothly
accelerated and reach firing speed before fuel can be introduced and ignition can occur. Turbine speeds vary widely
by manufacturer and design, ranging from 2,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 10,000 rpm. Initial ignition occurs
from one or more spark plugs (depending on combustor design). Once the turbine reaches self-sustaining speed
above 50% of full speed the power output is enough to drive the compressor, combustion is continuous, and the
starter system can be disengaged. Because of the power required to drive the compressor, energy conversion
efficiency for a simple cycle gas turbine power plant is typically about 30 percent, with even the most efficient
designs limited to 40 percent. A large amount of heat remains in the exhaust gas, which is around 600C as it leaves
the turbine. By recovering that waste heat to produce more useful work in a combined cycle configuration, gas
turbine power plant efficiency can reach 55 to 60 percent. However, there are operational limitations associated with
operating gas turbines in combined cycle mode, including longer startup time, purge requirements to prevent fires or
explosions, and ramp rate to full load.

IV.

THEORY

A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of internal combustion engine. It has an upstream
rotating compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between. The basic operation of
the gas turbine is similar to that of the steam power plant except that air is used instead of water. Fresh atmospheric
air flows through a compressor that brings it to higher pressure. Energy is then added by spraying fuel into the air
and igniting it so the combustion generates a high-temperature flow. This high-temperature high-pressure gas enters
a turbine, where it expands down to the exhaust pressure, producing a shaft work output in the process. The turbine
shaft work is used to drive the compressor and other devices such as an electric generator that may be coupled to the
shaft. The energy that is not used for shaft work comes out in the exhaust gases, so these have either a high
temperature or a high velocity. The purpose of the gas turbine determines the design so that the most desirable
energy form is maximized. Gas turbines are used to power aircraft, trains, ships, electrical generators, or even tanks.
Examples of gas turbine configurations: (1) turbojet, (2) turboprop, (3) turboshaft (electric generator), (4) highbypass turbofan, (5) low-bypass afterburning turbofan.
A. THEORY OF OPERATION
In an ideal gas turbine, gases undergo three thermodynamic processes: an isentropic compression, isobaric
(constant pressure) combustion and an isentropic expansion. Together, these make up the Brayton cycle. In a
practical gas turbine, mechanical energy is irreversibly transformed into heat when gases are compressed (in either a
centrifugal or axial compressor), due to internal friction and turbulence. Passage through the combustion chamber,
where heat is added and the specific volume of the gases increases, is accompanied by a slight loss in pressure.
During expansion amidst the stator and rotor blades of the turbine, irreversible energy transformation once again
occurs. If the device has been designed to power a shaft as with an industrial generator or a turboprop, the exit
pressure will be as close to the entry pressure as possible. In practice it is necessary that some pressure remains at
the outlet in order to fully expel the exhaust gases. In the case of a jet engine only enough pressure and energy is
extracted from the flow to drive the compressor and other components. The remaining high pressure gases are
accelerated to provide a jet that can, for example, be used to propel an aircraft.

B. BRAYTON CYCLE
As with all cyclic heat engines, higher combustion temperatures can allow for greater efficiencies. However,
temperatures are limited by ability of the steel, nickel, ceramic, or other materials that make up the engine to
withstand high temperatures and stresses. To combat this many turbines feature complex blade cooling systems. As a
general rule, the smaller the engine, the higher the rotation rate of the shaft(s) must be to maintain tip speed. Bladetip speed determines the maximum pressure ratios that can be obtained by the turbine and the compressor. This, in
turn, limits the maximum power and efficiency that can be obtained by the engine. In order for tip speed to remain
constant, if the diameter of a rotor is reduced by half, the rotational speed must double. For example, large jet
engines operate around 10,000 rpm, while micro turbines spin as fast as 500,000 rpm. Mechanically, gas turbines
can be considerably less complex than internal combustion piston engines. Simple turbines might have one moving
part: the shaft/compressor/turbine/alternative-rotor assembly (see image above), not counting the fuel system.
However, the required precision manufacturing for components and temperature resistant alloys necessary for high
efficiency often makes the construction of a simple turbine more complicated than piston engines. More
sophisticated turbines (such as those found in modern jet engines) may have multiple shafts (spools), hundreds of
turbine blades, movable stator blades, and a vast system of complex piping, combustors and heat exchangers. Thrust
bearings and journal bearings are a critical part of design. Traditionally, they have been hydrodynamic oil bearings,
or oil-cooled ball bearings. These bearings are being surpassed by foil bearings, which have been successfully used
in micro turbines and auxiliary power units.
C. COMPONENTS OF A GAS TURBINE PLANT
The construction and operation of the components of a gas turbine plant are necessary for proper understanding
and design.
1. Compressor
The high flow rates of air through the turbine and the relatively moderate pressure ratios necessitate the use of rotary
compressors. The types of compressor commonly used are the following.
- Centrifugal compressors
- Axial flow compressors
A centrifugal compressor consists of an impeller with a series of curved radial vanes as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Air is sucked in near the hub, called the impeller eye and is whirled round at high speed by the vanes on the
impeller rotating at high rpm. The static pressure of air increases from the eye to the tip of the impeller. Air leaving
the impeller tip flows through diffuser passages (scroll) which convert the kinetic energy to pressure energy (Figure
2).

Figure 2
The compressors may have single inlet or double inlet. In a double inlet impeller having an eye on either side, air
is drawn in on both sides (Figure 3).

Figure 3

The impeller is subjected to approximately equal forces in the axial direction. About half the pressure rise occurs
in the impeller vanes, and half occurs in the diffuser passages. If the air flow into the impeller eye is in the axial
direction (Figure 1), the blade velocity diagram at inlet is shown in Figure 4(a). By using fixed guide blades, the
inlet velocity to the impeller eye is inclined at an angle, known as pre-whirl (Figure 4(b)).

Figure 4
At exit from the impeller the flow is in the radial direction and the blade velocity is larger, since the radius of the
impeller is larger at outlet. The blade velocity diagram is shown in Figure 5(a) being the case of radially inclined
blades and (b) being that of blades inclined backwards at an angle 2.

Figure 5

The inertia of the air trapped between the impeller blades, however, causes the actual whirl velocity to be less
than the ideal whirl velocity. It is known as slip.
For low pressure ratios (less than 4/1) the centrifugal compressor is lighter and is able to operate effectively over
a wide range of mass flows at any speed. Using titanium alloys pressure ratios above eight have now been achieved.
For larger units with higher pressure ratios the axial-flow compressor is more efficient and is usually preferred. For
industrial and large marine gas turbine plants axial compressors are normally used, although some units may employ
two or more centrifugal compressors with intercooling between stages. Centrifugal compressors are cheaper to
produce, more robust and have a wider operating range than the axial-flow type. An axial-flow compressor is similar
to an axial-flow turbine with a succession of moving blades on the rotor shaft and fixed blades arranged around the
stator (casing). Air flows axially through the moving and fixed blades, with diffuser passages throughout which
continuously increases the pressure and decreases the velocity. Stationary guide vanes are provided at entry to the
first row of moving blades (Figure 6).

Figure 6

The work input to the rotor shaft is transferred by the moving blades to the air, thus accelerating it. The spaces
between the blades as well as the stator blades from diffusing passages decreasing velocity and increasing pressure.
There can be a large number of stages (5 to 14) with a constant work input per stage. An equal temperature rise in
the moving and fixed blades is usually maintained. The axial velocity of air is also kept constant throughout the
compressor. A diffusing flow is less stable than a converging flow as in a turbine and for this reason the blade shape
and profile are more important for a compressor than for a reaction turbine. Typical blade sections of an axial-flow
compressor are shown in Figure 7(a) and the corresponding velocity diagrams in Figure 7(b).

Figure 7

Blades are usually of twisted section designed according to free vortex theory. Due to nonuniformity of the
velocity profile in the blade passages the work that can be put into a given blade passage is less than that given by
the ideal diagram.
2. Combustion Chamber
In an open cycle gas turbine plant combustion may be arranged to take place in one or two large cylindrical can-type
combustion chambers with ducting to convey the hot gases to the turbine. Combustion is initiated by an electric
spark and once the fuel starts burning, the flame is required to be stabilized. A pilot or recirculated zone is created in
the main flow to establish a stable flame which helps to sustain combustion continuously. The common methods of
flame stabilization are by swirl flow and by bluff body.

Figure 8
Figure 8 shows a can-type combustor with swirl flow flame stabilization. About 20 per cent of the total air from
the compressor is directly fed through a swirler to the burner as primary air, to provide a rich fuel-air mixture in the
primary zone, which continuously burns, producing high temperature gases. Air flowing through the swirler
produces a vortex motion creating a low pressure zone along the axis of the combustion chamber to cause reversal of
flow. About 30 per cent of total air is supplied through dilution holes in the secondary zone through the annulus
round the flame tube to complete the combustion. The secondary air must be admitted at right points in the
combustion chamber, otherwise the cold injected air may chill the flame locally thereby reducing the rate of
reaction. The secondary air not only helps to complete the combustion process but also helps to cool the flame tube.
The remaining 50 per cent of air is mixed with burnt gases in the tertiary zone to cool the gases down to the
temperature suited to the turbine blade materials.

Figure 8
Figure 9 shows a can-type combustor with a bluff body stabilizing the flame. The fuel is injected upstream into
the air flow and a sheet metal cone and perforated baffle plate ensure the necessary mixing of fuel and air. The low
pressure zone created downstream side causes the reversal of flow along the axis of the combustion chamber to
stabilize the flame. Sufficient turbulence is produced in all three zones of the combustion chamber for uniform
mixing and good combustion. The air-fuel ratio in a gas turbine plant varies from 60/1 to 120/1 and the air velocity
at entry to the combustion chamber is usually not more than 75m/s. There is a rich and a weak limit of flame
stability and the limit is usually taken at flame blowout. Instability of the flame results in rough running with
consequent effect on the life of the combustion chamber. Because of the high air-fuel ratio used, the gases entering
the turbine contain a high percentage of oxygen and therefore if reheating is performed, the additional fuel can be
burned satisfactorily in turbine exhaust, without needing further air for oxygen.
The term "combustion efficiency" is often used in this regard, which is defined as the ratio of "theoretical fuel-air
ratio for actual temperature" to the "actual fuel-air ratio for actual temperature rise". Theoretical temperature rise
depends on the calorific value of the fuel used, the fuel-air ratio and the initial temperature of air. To evaluate the
combustion efficiency, the inlet and outlet temperatures and the fuel and air mass flow rates are measured. The fuel
used in aircraft gas turbine is a light petroleum distillate or kerosene of gross calorific value of 46.4MJ/kg. For gas
turbines used in power production or in cogeneration plants, the fuel used can be natural gas.

Figure 9

3. Gas Turbines
Like steam turbines, gas turbines are also of the axial-flow type (Figure 10). The basic requirements of the turbines
are light weight, high efficiency, reliability in operation and long working life. Large work output can be obtained
per stage with high blade speeds when the blades are designed to sustain higher stresses. More stages are always
preferred in gas turbine power plants, because it helps to reduce the stresses in the blades and increases the overall
life of the turbine. The cooling of gas turbine blades is essential for long life as it is continuously subjected to high
temperature gases. Blade angles of gas turbines follow the axial-flow compressor blading (Figure 7(a)), where the
degree of reaction is not 50 per cent. It is usually assumed for any stage that the absolute velocity at inlet to each
stage is equal to the absolute velocity at exit from the moving blades and that the same flow velocity is constant
throughout the turbine. The degree of reaction, R, as defined for a steam turbine, is valid for gas turbines also. It is
the ratio of the enthalpy drop in the moving blades to the enthalpy drop in the stage
4. Vortex Blading
This is the same name given to the twisted blades which are designed by using three dimensional flow equations
with a view to decrease fluid flow losses. A radial equilibrium equation can be derived and it can be shown that one
set of conditions which satisfy this equation is as follows:
-

Constant axial velocity

Constant specific work over the annulus

Free constant vortex at entry to the moving blades

Duct Work: The duct work consists of ducts between the compressor and the combustion chamber, combustion

chamber to the turbine, and the exhaust dust. The ducts must be sized to minimize the pressure losses, as the loss in
pressure directly reduces the capacity of the plant. Ducts should be supported from the floor to reduce vibration.
Expansion joints must be provided to allow for dimensional changes due to temperature variation.
D. GAS TURBINE FUELS
Gas turbines are basically designed to operate on petroleum-based fuels like natural gas, kerosene, aviation fuel
and residual fuel oil. Other fuels like powdered coal, sewage gas, etc. are also being actively considered. The main
requirements of a gas turbine fuel are low vanadium content and low ash content. An additive is placed in gas
turbine fuel to reduce corrosion of the blades and to prevent the deposit of carbon and ash.
E. ADVANTAGES OF DISADVANTAGES OF GAS TURBINE POWER PLANT
1 Advantages
i.
Very high power-to-weight ratio, compared to reciprocating engines;
ii.

Smaller than most reciprocating engines of the same power rating.

iii.

Moves in one direction only, with far less vibration than a reciprocating engine.

iv.

Fewer moving parts than reciprocating engines.

v.

Greater reliability, particularly in applications where sustained high power output is required

vi.

Waste heat is dissipated almost entirely in the exhaust and is very usable for boiling water in a
combined cycle, or for cogeneration.

vii.

Low operating pressures

viii.

Low cost of lubrication and maintenance

ix.

High operation speeds.

x.

Can run on a wide variety of fuels.

xi.

Very low toxic emissions of CO and HC due to excess air, complete combustion and no "quench" of the
flame on cold surfaces

5.
i.

Disadvantages
Cost is very high

ii.

Less efficient than reciprocating engines at idle speed

iii.

Longer startup than reciprocating engines

iv.

Less responsive to changes in power demand compared with reciprocating engines

F. TURBINE PERFORMANCE
1 Turbine Power Output
To minimize the size and weight of the turbine for a given output power, the output per pound of airflow should
be maximized. This is obtained by maximizing the air flow through the turbine which in turn depends on
maximizing the pressure ratio between the air inlet and exhaust outlet. The main factor governing this is the pressure
ratio across the compressor which can be as high as 40:1 in modern gas turbines. In simple cycle applications,
pressure ratio increases translate into efficiency gains at a given firing temperature, but there is a limit since
increasing the pressure ratio means that more energy will be consumed by the compressor.
6. System Efficiency
Thermal efficiency is important because it directly affects the fuel consumption and operating costs.
Simple Cycle Turbines
A gas turbine consumes considerable amounts of power just to drive its compressor. As with all cyclic heat engines,
a higher maximum working temperature in the machine means greater efficiency (Carnot's Law), but in a turbine it
also means that more energy is lost as waste heat through the hot exhaust gases whose temperatures are typically
well over 1,000C . Consequently simple cycle turbine efficiencies are quite low. For heavy plant, design
efficiencies range between 30% and 40%. (The efficiencies of aero engines are in the range 38% and 42% while low
power micro turbines (<100kW) achieve only 18% to 22%). Although increasing the firing temperature increases the
output power at a given pressure ratio, there is also a sacrifice of efficiency due to the increase in losses due to the
cooling air required to maintain the turbine components at reasonable working temperatures.
Combined Cycle Turbines
It is however possible to recover energy from the waste heat of simple cycle systems by using the exhaust gases
in a hybrid system to raise steam to drive steam turbine electricity generating set. In such cases the exhaust
temperature may be reduced to as low as 140C enabling efficiencies of up to 60% to be achieved in combined cycle
systems. In combined-cycle applications, pressure ratio increases have a less pronounced effect on the efficiency
since most of the improvement comes from increases in the Carnot thermal efficiency resulting from increases in the
firing temperature. Thus simple cycle efficiency is achieved with high pressure ratios. Combined cycle efficiency is
obtained with more modest pressure ratios and greater firing temperatures.

V.

UNILAG POWER CONSUMPTION REPORT

Information of the average power consumption of the University community for a 7-day period was prepared by the
Department and Works and Physical Planning, University of Lagos and is briefly summarized in the table below:
S/
N
1.
2.

READING OF POWER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Supplied by EKEDP on 33kV Power Supply

Supplied by the 2 X 2,250kVA Generators
TOTAL

645,420kWh
34,657kWh
680,077kWh

Therefore, the gas turbine power plant is required to deliver about 680,000kWH of energy per week.

VI.
A TURBINE DESIGN DATA

POWER PLANT DESIGN

S/N
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

TURBINE CHARACTERISTIC
Effective inlet angle
Effective outlet angle
Mean diameter of blade
Speed of rotation of blade
Gas inlet pressure
Gas inlet temperature
Pressure ratio
Specific heat of gas at constant pressure (Cp)
Adiabatic constant

G. DESIGN ANALYSIS
Assumptions
The following assumptions are made for simplification of the design analysis:
i.

A axial velocity in the turbine is constant throughout

ii.

The turbine undergoes isentropic expansion

iii.

The degree of reaction of the turbine is 50% (Parsons turbine).

7.

Velocity Diagram

Figure 10 The Velocity Diagram

8.

Velocities

U=dN

1.5 3000
60

75

235.62m/ s

VALUE
10
75
1.5m
3000rev/min
10bar
900K
20:1
1.15KJ/kgK
1.333

Considering the velocity diagram above (Figure 1),

GAC= ACE ( alternate angles )

GAC=75
Also,

GAC+ CAB=90
75 +CAB=90

CAB=90 75
CAB=15
Similarly,

ACB + BCE=ACE
ACB +10 =75

ACB=75 10
ACB=65
Also,

ACB + ABC +BAC =180 ( anglesa triangle )

65 + ABC +15 =180

ABC =180 ( 65 +15 )

ABC =100
Applying sine rule in ABC gives

sinCAB sin ACB

=
V2
U
sin15 sin65
=
V2
235.62
V 2=235.62

sin 15
sin 65

V 2=67.2872 m/s
Applying cosine rule to ABC

C2 =U + V 22 U V 2 cos ABC
C22 =235.622+67.287222 2(235.62)(67.2872)cos 100
C22 =65550.46106
C2 =256.0282m/s
Since the turbine is Parson, it means that:

V 3=C 2=256.0282 m/s

C3 =V 2=67.2872 m/s
The change in whirl velocity is given by:

C w =U +2 V 2 sin10
235.62+ 2 ( 67.2872 ) sin 10
258.9886 m/s
The change in fan velocity is given by:

C f =V 2 cos 10
67.2872 cos 10
66.265 m/s
9. Work done
The actual work done per stage of the turbine is given by:

|W |=UC w
235.62 258.9886

61022.89393
61.023 KJ /kg
The actual work done in the 9 stages of the turbine is:

9 61.023
549.207 KJ /kg
The ideal work done by the turbine is given by:

W ideal =C p (T T out )

Assuming isentropic expansion,

P
T
= 2
T out P1

( )

T out =

(P2 / P1)

900

T out =

40

0.333
1.333

T out =358.12 K
Therefore,

W ideal =C p (T T out )
W ideal =1.15 ( 900358.12 )
W ideal =623.1626 KJ /kg
10. Efficiency
The overall efficiency of the turbine is given by

o =

W actual
W ideal

o =

549.207
623.1626

o =0.8813=88.13
The stage efficiency is given by

s =

o
reheat

s =

0.8813
1.10

s =0.8012=80.12
11. Mass flow rate

m=

power output required

actual work done9 stages

m=

6741.54
549.207

m=12.275

kg /s

VII.

POWER PLANT ECONOMICS

The power plant is not only to be reliable and safe but it must supply regular electricity at minimum cost to the
University community. The characteristic data of the gas turbine power plant designed above is summarized in the
table below:
S/N
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

CHARACTERISTICS
Rated Energy supplied by Power Plant
Peak Load on Power Plant
Capital Cost (Installed)
Interest and Depreciation
Weekly Capacity Factor

VALUES
680,000kWh
6260kW
24,000 per kW
12%
65%

6.
7.
8.

Weekly Load Factor

Weekly Running Charge (Fuel, Wages, Taxation)
Energy Consumed by the Power Plant (kWaux)
a.

70%
640,000
7%

Capacity of Plant

Load factor
Capacity of plant
=
Capacity factor
Peak load
0.7 Capacity of plant
=
0.65
6260
Capacity of plant=

6260 0.7
=6741.54 KW
0.65

b. Reserve Capacity

67416260=481 KW
c.

Net energy delivered per week

Average load=Load factor Peak load

0.7 6260=4382 KW
Energy generated per week= Average load 168

4382 168=736176 kWh

Net energy delivered per week =( 1kW aux ) Energy generated per week
( 10.07 ) 736176=684643.68 kWh
d. Total Weekly Cost

cost (interest depreciation )=0.12 24000 6741=19414080

Total weekly cost= cost + Running cost

(19414080+640000 )= 20054080
e.

Cost per kilowatt

Cost per kW=

20054080
= 29.3
684643.68

VIII.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The significant results of this paper are as follows:

1.

The design of the turbine: A nine-stage Parsons gas turbine was used in the power plant which should
produce a weekly energy of 684643.68kWh. The degree of reaction, , was taken as 50%. The velocity
diagram was drawn, and the corresponding angles and velocities were calculated analytically from the
geometry of the velocity diagram. The pressure ratio was chosen as high as 40:1 (as in modern gas
turbines) so as to maximize the air flow through the turbine which in turn minimizes the size and weight of
the turbine for a given output power. The actual work done per stage (61.023KJ/kg), and then in the 9stages (549.207KJ/kg) were calculated. Also, the ideal work that would be done if the expansion was totally

isentropic was calculated and given as 623.1626KJ/kg. Then, the overall and stage efficiencies were
calculated. Finally, the mass flow rate was calculated and given as 12.275kg/s.
2.

The cost per kilowatt of the generated power: Based on the estimated monetary values of the parameters
and cost which determine the cost of the electrical power generated by the power plant (fixed cost,
operational cost, etc.); financial analysis of the power plant was carried out. Results show that the power
generated will cost 29.3 per kW. The standard distribution cost of the Nigeria Federal Government is
24.50. This shows that the gas turbine power plant delivers a more expensive power.

IX.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the results of the design analysis, I strongly recommend the following for optimum performance of the
gas turbine power plant:
1.

Quality equipment must be selected in the construction of the gas turbine power plant to ensure longer life
and proper capacities.

2.

Proper routine maintenance should be carried out on the power plant to ensure durability.

3.

Proper supervision

4.

Maximum pressure ratio should be ensured between the air inlet and exhaust outlet so as to minimize the
weight and size per power delivered.

X.

CONCLUSION

The 9-stage Parsons gas turbine (degree of reaction, = 50%) was designed for the power plant and was
estimated to produce a weekly energy of 684643.68kWh. The results of financial analysis showed that the power
generated will cost 29.3 per kW. The design analysis shows that the gas turbine power plant produces a little more
expensive power supply; it will efficiently replace the University power generating systems. However, the
comparative advantages of gas turbines make them suitable for large scale power generation.

XI.

REFERENCES

Books
[1] Cengel, A. Y., Boles, A. M. (2008). Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach. McGraw-Hill Higher
Education, New York, ISBN 978-0-07-352921-9
[2] Cohen H., Rogers G. F. C., Saravanamuttoo H. I. H. (2009). Gas Turbine Theory. Prentice Hall, ISBN 978-0-13222437-6, pp. 294297
[3] Grant Ingram (2009). Basic Concepts in Turbomachinery. Ventus Publishing ApS, ISBN 978-87-7681-435-9
[4] Dixon S. L., Hall C. A. (2010). Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Turbomachinery. 6th Edition,
Butterworth-Heinemann Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-0124159549
[5] Meherwan P. B. (2011). Gas Turbine Engineering Handbook. 4th Edition, Gulf Professional Pub., ISBN
9780123838421

[6] Nag P.K. (2006). Power Plant Engineering, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill Publishers ISBN 0-07-043599-5
[7] Venkanna B.K. (2009). Fundamentals of Turbomachinery. Prentice-hall Of India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, ISBN
9788120337756
Electronic Publications
[8] Gas turbine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gas Turbine [online encyclopedia], URL:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_turbine [cited 27 March 2015].

[9] Gas Turbine Power Plants Turbine Performance URL: http://www.mpoweruk.com/gas_turbines.htm [cited 27
March 2015].