High Temperature Turbine Design Considerations

THE effect of higher turbine inlet temperature on the performance of an aircraft gas turbine engine can be quite dramatic. It can be used to increase the exhaust velocity of a dry turbojet to providea higher specific thrust; to increase the bypass ratio of a turbofan engine to improve its propulsive efficiency; to optimize the thermodynamic cycle at a higher pressure ratio to improve its specific fuel consumption; to reduce the amount of afterburner fuel flow in an augmented turbojet to improve its specific fuel consumption, or to increase the work output of a turboshaft engine. If the thrust or power of the engine is held constant, a size, cost and/or weight reduction can result. If the size of the engine is held constant growth capability can be provided.