gas turbine
Noun: A gas turbine is a type of internal combustion engine. It converts the chemical energy stored in a liquid fuel into mechanical energy (rotational power). This is achieved by burning the fuel in compressed air; the resulting hot, expanding gases are directed through a turbine to produce work.
The term gas turbine refers specifically to the complete engine unit. It is commonly used in contexts involving power generation, aviation, and marine propulsion. * The new power plant uses a highly efficient gas turbine to generate electricity. * Jet engines are a type of gas turbine optimized for aircraft propulsion. * Engineers are working to improve the fuel efficiency of the gas turbine.
- Simple-cycle gas turbine: A basic configuration where the turbine's exhaust gases are released directly to the atmosphere after producing power.
- Combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT): A more efficient system where waste heat from the gas turbine exhaust is used to create steam, which then drives a secondary steam turbine.
- Gas-turbine (used attributively as a compound modifier): Describes something related to or powered by a gas turbine.
- The ship is equipped with a gas-turbine generator for auxiliary power.
- Turbine (noun): The broader category of rotary mechanical devices that extract energy from a fluid flow. A gas turbine is a specific type.
- Combustion turbine: Another term often used synonymously with gas turbine.
- Combustion turbine
The "gas" in gas turbine refers to the gaseous state of the fuel-air mixture during combustion and expansion, not necessarily to the type of fuel. While natural gas is a common fuel, liquid fuels like kerosene or diesel are also frequently used. The core principle is the use of hot, pressurized gas to drive the turbine.
- turbine that converts the chemical energy of a liquid fuel into mechanical energy by internal combustion; gaseous products of the fuel (which is burned in compressed air) are expanded through a turbine