Preface

Gas turbines are a vital and active area of research because they play a dominant role in the fields of power, propulsion and energy. Book focuses on development and improvement of methods and techniques of analysis and diagnostics of efficiency, operation and maintenance of gas turbines. Authors from several countries have contributed chapters dealing with a wide range of issues related to analysis of gas turbines and their engineering applications. Gas turbine engine defect diagnostic and condition monitoring systems, operating conditions of open gas turbines, reduction of jet mixing noise, recovery of exhaust heat from gas turbines, appropriate materials and coatings, ultra micro gas turbines and applications of gas turbines are discussed. Analytical and experimental methods employed to identify failures and quantify operating conditions and efficiency of gas turbines that are encountered in engineering applications. The open exchange of scientific results and ideas will hopefully lead to improved reliability of gas turbines. The book presents necessary data and helpful suggestions to assist scientists and engineers involved in the design, selection and operation of gas turbines.

**Konstantin Volkov** 

Faculty of Engineering, Kingston University, Friars Avenue, Roehampton Vale, London, UK

**Introductory Chapter** 

*School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering,* 

*Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University, London* 

Gas turbines are a vital and active area of research because they play a dominant role in the fields of power, propulsion and energy. They are used from the simple cycle machines employed to compress gas, pump oil and provide power, to the combined heat and power gas turbines used to provide electrical power, heating and cooling for industrial plants. Gas turbines are widely used in power plants and mechanical drive applications and, as these plants can be configured in a number of ways, the gas turbine manufacturer needs to

The conceptual design process of gas turbines is complex, involving multiple engineering disciplines. Aerodynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials science, component design, and structural analysis are a few of the fields employed when down selecting an appropriate gas turbine configuration. Because of the complexity involved, it is critical to

The robustness of a design process is dependent on a number of factors including clear requirements and objectives, capture of the design parameters, knowledge capture and dissemination, validated procedures, repeatability, manufacturability, and the capability to consider the widest possible scope in the search for a conceptual design solution. The use of a constraint modelling technique has provided a framework where the various elements and tools involved in a design process can be integrated through various communication methods. The design parameters of the gas turbines need to be chosen carefully to balance their influence on the reliability, maintainability, cost, efficiency and emissions of a gas turbine based power plant. Efficiency and reliability are two major parameters that should both be considered at the beginning of a new design project. To get higher efficiency means higher firing temperatures, higher pressure ratios, exotic materials, complicated cooling systems, all factors which jeopardize the cost and the reliability of the product. The aim of the product design team is to reach the optimum balance for these parameters, and for the demands and specifications of the individual customer. The gas turbine design process is not completely linear since the design steps are highly interdependent. A number of

This book focuses on development and improvement of methods and techniques of analysis and diagnostics of efficiency, operation and maintenance of gas turbines. Authors from

have a process that narrows gas turbine options without missing the optimum.

balance the requirements of each user to optimize the design.

iterations are usually necessary in selecting a final configuration.

**1. Introduction** 

**Overview** 

*UK* 

Konstantin Volkov
