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Techniques for Improving Brayton Cycles

In this lesson, we will consider the following improvements to the

1.
2.
3.
4.

Regeneration
Reheat
Intercooling
Regeneration with Reheat and Intercooling

Lesson 9F: page 1 of 12

In this lesson, we will discuss the most common methods that are used to improve the efficiency of the ideal Brayton Cycle.
Regeneration is the key method because reheat and intercooling do not improve the thermal efficiency of the cycle unless they are combined with regeneration.
That is why the 4th method on our list is the combination of reheating and intercooling with regeneration.
You may wonder why anyone would build an ordinary Brayton Cycle if we already know how it can be improved.
Well, each of the improvements we will discuss increases the initial cost of building the equipment and also increases the maintenance costs for the cycle.
So, the decision about exactly what power cycle to build depends on economics as much as it depends on engineering.
You will learn more about engineering economics later in your education.
The other thing that I would like you to keep in mind throughout this lesson is that we are only considering ideal cycles.
We will not consider the effects of friction and other irreversibilities on the performance of the Brayton Cycle or any of the improved versions of the Brayton Cycle.
OK. Let’s begin with regeneration.