Microturbine Cycle Options

The deregulation of electric power and growing emphasis placed on distributed power generation, is establishing the need for a compact thermal energy system capable of providing the total energy needs for a small business. Natural gas fueled microturbines with ultra low emissions can fulfill this need. The results of a study comparing the thermodynamic performances of various cycle options for microturbines in the 50 Kwe range are presented. It was determined that with current state of art component peak performance levels, and metallic materials, a thermal efficiency of 30% was attainable for the recuperated open cycle single shaft microturbine. The challenge to success of the microturbine may not be curtailed by gas turbine component or cycle technology, insomuch as the achievement of low emissions and low cost component manufacturing techniques. If in the future heat engines are to be regulated on net global warming potential, semi-closed cycle gas microturbines with high exhaust flow recirculation may politically penetrate the marketplace.