| The problem of fuel consumption at part-loads and the desirability of developing a new generation of naval power system, which will result in a sensible reduction in overall machinery plus fuel weight, have brought the free world's navies back to the "old" concept--the intercooled regenerative (ICR) cycle gas turbines. This thesis reviews some early trials of the marine ICR gas turbines and describes a theoretical investigation of the basic thermodynamic behaviour of the ICR gas turbines. The studies focus on two issues, the design-point (DP) cycle performance and the off-design characteristic of an ICR gas turbine.;The design-point performance is studied by applying the basic principles of gas turbines. The calculations reveal how the regenerator and the intercooler are involved to promote the engine performance. WR-21 is a new ICR gas turbine being co-developed by Westinghouse and Roll-Royce. The DP analysis has verified the known performance of the engine.;The off-design analysis based on the WR-21 uses generalized compressor and turbine characteristics to account for the changes of component performance at part-loads. A simplified solution method using the compatibility of flow and work, and the matching of turbines in series, results in the unique characteristics of the controlling parameters of an ICR gas turbine. To avoid excessive graphic iteration, some component performance characteristics are adapted into a data base.;The effect of variable power turbine nozzle, which is featured in the WR-21, is tentatively estimated at the end of the thesis. |
