Turbinenkreisläufe

Turbinenkreisläufe, also known as turbine cycles, are thermodynamic processes used to convert thermal energy into mechanical work, typically to generate electricity. The most common examples include the Rankine cycle, used in steam power plants, and the Brayton cycle, employed in gas turbines.

In a Rankine cycle, water is heated in a boiler to produce high-pressure steam. This steam then expands through a turbine, causing it to rotate and drive a generator. After passing through the turbine, the steam is condensed back into water and pumped back to the boiler, completing the cycle. Variations exist, such as the supercritical Rankine cycle, which operates above the critical point of water to improve efficiency.

The Brayton cycle, on the other hand, uses a working fluid, typically air, which is compressed, heated, and then expanded through a turbine. In gas turbine power plants, air is compressed, fuel is injected and combusted, and the hot combustion gases expand through the turbine. The turbine drives both the compressor and a separate generator. Combined cycle power plants integrate both Rankine and Brayton cycles, using the hot exhaust gases from a gas turbine to generate steam for a steam turbine, thereby increasing overall efficiency.

The efficiency of these cycles is influenced by factors such as operating temperatures and pressures, the working fluid used, and heat losses. Research and development continuously aim to improve turbine cycle efficiency through advanced materials, improved component design, and innovative cycle configurations.