The Gas Turbine Power Pack for Automotive Propulsion - A Review of Alternative Solutions

Although the gas turbine offers many advantages for long distance commercial vehicle applications, certain improvements must be made before it can successfully compete with the highly developed reciprocating piston engine. Both types of engines are compared on a thermodynamic basis to indicate their inherent characteristics and to show the extent to which various performance properties can be successfully matched to the gas turbine. One power unit, the split compressor differential gas turbine, is proposed as offering distinct benefits over the gas turbine types currently being developed. Its design features, operation, and performance in a continuing development program are described.