gasturbine

Gas turbine, often called a gas turbine engine, is a type of reaction turbine that converts energy carried by hot, high‑pressure gas into rotational power. It operates on the Brayton cycle: air is drawn in and compressed, fuel is injected and burned in a combustor, and the resulting high‑temperature gases expand through a turbine that extracts work and exhausts to atmosphere. The basic components are a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a shaft that connects the turbine to the compressor and to an external load. Depending on design, compressors are usually axial, sometimes radial; turbines are high‑temperature machines cooled by air or other means. In stationary power plants the turbine drives a generator; in aircraft, it provides propulsion or, in turboprops and turbofans, a combination of thrust and shaft power.

Industrial gas turbines are used for electricity generation and mechanical drive; in many plants they operate as part of a combined‑cycle system where the exhaust heat drives a steam turbine, increasing overall efficiency. Aeroderivative turbines are lighter and more compact, derived from aircraft engines for mobile or offshore use.

The technology began with early turbojet work in the 1930s by Frank Whittle in Britain and Hans von Ohain in Germany. Since then, advances in materials, cooling, and aerodynamics have pushed higher pressure ratios, better fueling, and emissions control. Performance varies by design, but simple‑cycle efficiencies are typically 30–40 percent, while modern combined‑cycle plants exceed 60 percent. Airframe engines achieve similar or higher thrust efficiency with emissions and noise considerations. Gas turbines face environmental and maintenance challenges but offer quick start, compact size, and high power density.