GAS TURBINES AND RELATED DISIPLINES
Brayton specializes in designing high efficiency, low emission recuperated gas turbine engines. Past projects range in power widely.
|
Power range |
Brayton Project / Client |
| 250 watts | space power closed cycle isotope-powered gas turbine |
| 1-3 kWe | gas turbine for residential cogeneration |
| 30 to 250 kWe | an in intimate knowledge of microturbine products, including those manufactured by Ingersoll-Rand and Capstone |
| 300 kWe | Brayton is a key member of the Wilson TurboPower team, supporting advanced research towards the world’s first 50% efficient gas turbine |
| 350 -400 kWe | Our Next generation MicroTurbine development project under our grant funding from the California Energy Commission, SEMPRA and a major US truck manufacturer is progression towards the test. |
| 500 kWe | working with a client to introduce a state of the art recuperated gas turbine |
| 700 kW - 3 MW | working with the University of Brazil, Petrobraz and other US clients to introduce a new line of advanced high efficiency multi (bio) fuel gas turbines |
| 25 to 300 MW | Mega-watt class - working with clients on closed cycle helium cooled reactor-based gas turbine, performing cycle analysis, turbomachinery preliminary design, as well as specializing in the challenging heat exchanger development |
In our specialized area, Brayton combines rigorous thermodynamic modeling with advancements in heat transfer, aerodynamics, and combustion sciences. The foundation of optimal gas turbine design starts with comprehensive cycle and system analysis. Brayton has developed internal codes to perform the integrated cycle analysis and the following computational modules.
- Design point simulations
- Simple gas turbine cycles
- Recuperated cycles
- Intercooled recuperated cycles
- Intercooler reheat cycles
- Part-load performance simulation
- Incorporating physical compressor and turbine maps
- Parametric representation of the recuperator and intercooler
- Combustion stability and CO emission over the operating envelope
- NOx emissions over the gas turbine operating envelope
- Turbine and compressor sizing and parametric performance analysis
A block diagram of Brayton’s suite of computation tools is shown below:
Some of our engineering capabilities are highlighted below:
Aerodynamics / CFD Modeling
Brayton Energy utilizes computational fluids dynamics to provide insight into a verity fluid flow problems, including turbines, compressors, volutes, ducting, heat exchangers and manifolds, and combustion systems. . That said, our general corporate position on CFD is that it is not to be used as a quantitative analysis tool. At Brayton we strive to validate the performance of complex aerodynamic systems with well-planned experiments, backed by rigorous testing procedures.
Turbine design
Brayton Energy maintains design codes for the analysis of radial and axial turbines. Our performance prediction codes are based on the NASA codes. Full blade design and analysis is accomplished with TurbAeroTM
Compressor design
Brayton Energy maintains design codes for the analysis of radial and axial turbines. Our performance prediction codes are based on the NASA codes. Full blade design and analysis is accomplished with CompAeroTM.
High Speed Alternators
High speed permanent magnetic alternators are becoming increasing common in small turbomachinery design. Working with alternator design specialists in the field, Brayton supports the development of the integrated system, performing rotor dynamic analysis, bearing analysis and finite element stress analysis to insure that the products are successfully integrated with the high speed turbomachinery.
