Gas turbine intake and compression In a simple open-cycle gas turbine, identify whether the working air is drawn from the surrounding atmosphere and mechanically compressed in a compressor before entering the combustor.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: True

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
An open-cycle gas turbine (industrial, aero, or power-generation) operates by ingesting ambient air, compressing it, adding heat by fuel combustion, expanding the hot gases through a turbine, and exhausting them back to atmosphere. The intake and compression stages define the front end of this Brayton-cycle machine.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Cycle type: open.
  • Air source: ambient atmosphere.
  • Compression: mechanical compressor (axial or centrifugal).


Concept / Approach:
In the Brayton cycle, the compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the incoming air. The combustor then adds heat at roughly constant pressure, and the turbine expands the gas to produce shaft work. The open-cycle architecture explicitly exchanges mass with the environment, unlike closed cycles where the working fluid circulates internally.



Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify intake: air is drawn from atmosphere through an inlet and filters.Compression: an axial/centrifugal compressor increases pressure.Combustion and expansion: fuel is added, gases expand in the turbine, and are exhausted to atmosphere.Conclusion: the statement is correct for open-cycle gas turbines.



Verification / Alternative check:
Standard schematics (intake → compressor → combustor → turbine → exhaust) confirm this sequence across aero and industrial configurations.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Closed-loop claim: describes a closed Brayton cycle, not the common open-cycle plant.
  • Restrictions to turbojets or intercooling are unnecessary; the principle holds without them.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing open and closed cycles. A regenerator or intercooler can be added, but neither changes the fact that an open-cycle machine pulls air from the atmosphere and compresses it.



Final Answer:
True

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