Efficient Steam System Incorporates Gas Turbine Principles

One approach to improving steam cycles is to apply certain gas turbine technology, namely, direct combustion to achieve a high working temperature. Direct combustion supplies heat and also working fluid, without the need for high temperature heat exchange. By burning hydrogen with pure oxygen the only product of combustion is steam; consequently, no inert gas is introduced into the system. In a similar manner direct combustion is used to maintain temperature during the first part of the expansion so as to approach an isothermal expansion rather than the adiabatic expansion typical of steam systems.Such a modified steam cycle is described in this paper and shows a projected fuel efficiency of 58% when the maximum temperature is 1093 C., or 50% for 815 C. maximum. Practical ways to supply hydrogen and oxygen are discussed.Copyright © 1985 by ASME