Course syllabus

Gas Turbine Technology - MTF171

Aim of the course

Gas turbines are the primary source of propulsion for aircraft and find a widespread use in power generation as well as marine applications. Within the course, aspects ranging from cycle studies and performance calculations to the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis of individual components are approached. The ambition is that you will become familiar with different gas turbine concepts and their operation. Limitations on gas turbine fuel efficiency, advanced materials and mechanical constraints such as fatigue are established for typical power plants.

Basic turbomachinery theory is lectured, although a full treatment of turbomachinery theory is assumed to have been covered in a turbomachinery course. A turbomachinery course is not a prerequisite but will contribute to a deeper understanding of some aspects of the course contents.

Design exercise

A design exercise is part of the course. The exercise is divided into three related subtasks:

1. Engine design point calculations of a future turbofan engine. 4 bonus credits.
2. Conceptual design of the components of the engine. 4 bonus credits.
3. Aerodynamic design of a component. 8 bonus credits.

Content and organisation

The course starts with a general overview of the gas turbine system and its field of application. The needs, as given by a jet engine or a power generation system, and the implications by these on the engine cycle are treated. Furthermore, the requirements on the components in order to fulfil these cycle requirements are illustrated. Different design principles for the components, such as compressors, turbines, combustors, nozzles etc., are described and what requirements are most important for the engine system performance. Future research directions, how will aircraft engines be designed in 2050, is discussed.

Literature

Cohen, Rogers, Saravanamuttoo, Gas Turbine Theory. The book can be obtained at the Cremona bookstore. It is relatively expensive and for that reason a number of copies are available for borrowing at the division. Except for the material on mechanical design added in the 6/7^th edition the 4^th/5^th editions are sufficient for learning the course. References will only be made to the 6^th edition. The course is supplemented by handed out material according to the reading instructions.

Examination

The examination is a mixed open book/closed book written exam. Bonus credits are given for the design task (a maximum of 16 credits may be obtained). The maximum credit on the exam is 60 credits, where 24 is the limit for the grade 3, 36 for the grade 4 and 48 for the grade five. The exam is divided into a closed book theory part (two questions out of which one question is picked from a list of theory questions), and an open book problem part (four questions). On the problem part any calculator with a cleared memory is allowed, formula sheet (some useful expressions), course book (with moderate amount of margin notes), Lecture slides copies, design task 2 PM (note that this PM contains conceptual design methods that may be used to formulate exam questions).

Contacts

Olivier Petit, tel : 0701-485751, email: olivierp@chalmers.se (Lectures)

Vinicius Tavares Silva, email : vincius@chalmers.se (Exercises, Design Task 3)

Elias Siggeirsson, email : elias.siggeirsson@chalmers.se  (Design Tasks 2, 3)

Location: