High Efficiency Vehicular Gas Turbines

Recuperated intercooled gas turbine cycles offer efficiencies in the 40% and higher range at medium to high loads. Although these cycles offer better low-load efficiency than other gas turbine cycles, the idle and low-load fuel consumption are still not good enough for satisfactory vehicle operation. In addition, response time to sudden demands for power is slow. The multi-pressure gas turbine allows the combustion air to enter the cycle at a different point, reducing the mass flow and the rating of the gas turbine for efficient operation at low power. Yet, the full power of the gas turbine is available quickly for acceleration or hill climbing.