Principles and Constructional Features of Gas Turbines Course

Lesson 1 • Thermodynamic Principles Review

Covers the laws of thermodynamics as applied to open-cycle gas turbines. Provides the analytical foundation needed for all subsequent performance calculations.

Lesson 2 • The Brayton Cycle Explained

Defines the ideal Brayton cycle and its pressure-volume and temperature-entropy diagrams. Students interpret cycle diagrams to predict turbine performance trends.

Lesson 3 • Gas Turbine System Overview

Introduces the three major subsystems: compressor, combustor, and turbine. Students map energy transformations across each subsystem using a unified flow diagram.

Lesson 1 • Compressor Aerodynamic Instabilities

Identifies surge, stall, and rotating stall phenomena and their causes. Students apply compressor map analysis to define safe operating envelopes.

Lesson 2 • Axial Compressor Fundamentals

Explains rotor-stator stage geometry and velocity triangle analysis for axial compressors. Connects blade angle design to pressure rise and flow coefficient.

Lesson 3 • Compressor Performance Parameters

Defines isentropic efficiency, polytropic efficiency, and pressure ratio as key metrics. Students calculate compressor work input and compare design-point vs. off-design performance.

Lesson 1 • Emissions and Combustion Efficiency

Quantifies NOx, CO, UHC, and smoke formation mechanisms and their dependence on flame temperature. Students apply emissions reduction strategies including lean premixed combustion.

Lesson 2 • Combustion Chamber Types and Layouts

Compares can, annular, and can-annular combustor configurations and their structural trade-offs. Connects layout choice to engine size, maintenance access, and pressure loss.

Lesson 3 • Fuel-Air Mixing and Flame Stability

Analyses primary, secondary, and dilution zone functions in achieving stable combustion. Students trace airflow distribution to temperature profile and pattern factor outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Ignition and Relight Systems

Covers igniter types, spark energy requirements, and altitude relight capability. Explains how ignition system design ensures reliable starting across operating conditions.

Lesson 1 • Nozzle Guide Vane Aerodynamics

Explains how nozzle guide vanes accelerate and turn hot gas to the correct rotor inlet angle. Covers choked nozzle conditions and their effect on turbine mass flow.

Lesson 2 • Turbine Performance Maps and Efficiency

Defines turbine efficiency metrics and demonstrates how performance maps characterise off-design behaviour. Students use corrected parameters to predict turbine response to varying conditions.

Lesson 3 • High-Pressure vs. Low-Pressure Turbines

Contrasts the aerodynamic and thermal demands on high-pressure and low-pressure turbine stages. Explains how stage count and blade geometry differ between the two turbine sections.

Lesson 1 • Thermal Loads on Turbine Blades

Quantifies the heat flux and temperature gradients experienced by first-stage turbine blades. Establishes why uncooled blades cannot survive modern turbine inlet temperatures.

Lesson 2 • Internal Cooling Circuit Design

Describes serpentine passages, pin-fin arrays, and rib turbulators used inside turbine blades. Students trace coolant flow paths and assess heat transfer enhancement methods.

Lesson 3 • External Film Cooling Techniques

Analyzes film cooling hole geometry, blowing ratio, and coolant coverage on blade external surfaces. Connects film effectiveness to aerodynamic penalty and overall cooling efficiency.

Lesson 4 • Superalloys and Directional Solidification

Covers nickel-based superalloy composition, directional solidification, and single-crystal casting for turbine blades. Students relate microstructure to creep, fatigue, and oxidation resistance.

Lesson 1 • Casings and Pressure Containment

Examines compressor and turbine casing design for pressure containment, thermal growth, and blade tip clearance control. Students evaluate casing split-line sealing and flange design.

Lesson 2 • Sealing Systems and Leakage Control

Covers labyrinth, brush, and carbon seals used to minimize inter-stage and inter-cavity leakage. Students quantify leakage impact on efficiency and assess seal wear mechanisms.

Lesson 3 • Rotor Disc Design and Stress Analysis

Covers disc geometry, centrifugal stress distribution, and burst margin requirements for turbine and compressor discs. Students apply disc stress equations to evaluate design safety.

Lesson 4 • Shaft Design and Torsional Loads

Analyzes shaft torque transmission, critical speed calculation, and shaft coupling methods. Connects shaft stiffness and mass distribution to rotor dynamic stability.

Lesson 1 • Degradation and Performance Recovery

Identifies fouling, erosion, and tip clearance growth as primary degradation mechanisms. Students apply performance trending methods to quantify degradation and plan recovery actions.

Lesson 2 • Component Matching and Running Lines

Explains how compressor and turbine maps are matched to define steady-state running lines. Students identify operating points and predict how component changes shift the running line.

Lesson 3 • Specific Fuel Consumption and Power Output

Defines specific fuel consumption, specific power, and heat rate as key performance metrics. Students compute these metrics from cycle data and benchmark designs against industry standards.

Lesson 4 • Transient Performance and Acceleration

Models engine behavior during acceleration, deceleration, and load changes using surge margin management. Students trace transient operating lines and identify surge risk during throttle changes.

Lesson 1 • Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics

Introduces gas path analysis, oil debris monitoring, and borescope inspection as diagnostic tools. Students interpret condition monitoring data to distinguish normal variation from fault signatures.

Lesson 2 • Fuel Control System Architecture

Describes hydromechanical and full-authority digital engine control architectures and their functional roles. Students trace fuel metering logic from power demand signal to fuel valve position.

Lesson 3 • Protection and Trip Logic

Defines overspeed, overtemperature, low oil pressure, and vibration trip thresholds and their activation logic. Students trace protection system response sequences from fault detection to safe shutdown.

Lesson 4 • Engine Instrumentation and Sensors

Covers thermocouples, pressure transducers, speed probes, and vibration sensors used in gas turbines. Students evaluate sensor placement, calibration, and signal conditioning requirements.