Regenerated Marine Gas Turbines: Part II — Regenerator Technology and Heat Exchanger Sizing

Abstract

Analytical studies are currently being conducted by the David Taylor Naval Ship R&D Center to assess the suitability of regenerative-cycle and intercooled, regenerative-cycle gas turbines for naval applications. This paper is the second part of a two-part paper which discusses results of initial investigations to identify attractive engine concepts based on existing turbomachinery and to consider the regenerator technology required to develop these engine concepts. Part I of the paper analyzed existing and next generation engines for performance improvement. Part II includes: definitions of performance parameters such as effectiveness and pressure drop, a discussion of regenerator types, and comments on regenerator materials, life, maintenance, and fouling. Tradeoffs between size, weight, and performance of plate-fin recuperators are examined using two of the hypothetical engines from Part I as examples. Results are compared for several different recuperator matrices to illustrate the effects of air-side and gas-side fin density and plate spacing on size, weight, and performance.

Advanced‐cycle Gas Turbines for Naval Ship Propulsion

“…To minimize the impact of the recuperator upon shipboard machinery installation, it is desirable to incorporate a compact lightweight recuperator into the design of any regenerative or intercooled-regenerative marine gas turbine. In conjunction with the comparative cycle studies discussed earlier, recuperator tradeoff studies [2] have been conducted at DTNSRDC with the aid of a computer program for performance analyses and sizing of plate-fin heat exchangers. Results of these preliminary studies indicate that a 25% improvement in specific fuel consumption can be obtained with a recuperator having specific weight less than 2 lbs/hp and volume on the order of 0.03 cubic feet per hp.…”