Turbinenkreisläufen

Turbinenkreisläufe, also known as turbine cycles, are thermodynamic processes used to convert thermal energy into mechanical work, typically for electricity generation. These cycles involve a working fluid that undergoes a series of phase changes and energy transfers within a closed or open loop. The fundamental principle is to heat a fluid, expand it through a turbine to produce rotational energy, and then condense or reject the heat to complete the cycle.

The most common example is the Rankine cycle, used in steam power plants. Water is heated in a boiler to become high-pressure steam, which then drives a turbine. The spent steam is condensed back into water and pumped back to the boiler, completing the cycle. Other variations exist, such as the supercritical Rankine cycle, which operates at pressures and temperatures above the critical point of water, leading to higher efficiencies.

In gas turbine cycles, like the Brayton cycle, air is compressed, heated, and then expanded through a turbine. This cycle is often used in jet engines and combined cycle power plants, where the hot exhaust from a gas turbine is used to generate steam for a secondary steam turbine.

The efficiency of a turbinenkreislauf is influenced by factors such as the maximum and minimum temperatures and pressures within the cycle, as well as irreversibilities like friction and heat loss. Improvements in turbine design, heat exchangers, and working fluids aim to enhance the overall energy conversion process and reduce environmental impact.