Gas turbines are versatile power-generating machines used across various industries. Their key applications leverage their ability to produce significant power relative to their size and weight, as well as their efficiency in certain operating conditions.
Aviation Applications
By far the most critical application of gas turbines is in aviation. As highlighted in a reference updated on October 10, 2024, gas turbines provide the essential motive power for jet propulsion.
In aircraft, gas turbine engines, commonly known as jet engines, generate thrust by expelling a high-speed jet of exhaust gas. This application is paramount due to the high power-to-weight ratio and reliability required for flight. The reference notes the significant importance and diversity of modern jet engines, indicating this area is a major focus within the study of gas turbines. Different types of jet engines, such as turbofans, turbojets, turboprops, and turboshafts, are optimized for varying aircraft speeds and roles, all relying on the fundamental gas turbine cycle.
Other Major Applications
Beyond aviation, gas turbines are widely employed in several other sectors:
Power Generation
Gas turbines are a cornerstone of modern electricity generation. They are used in:
- Peaking Power Plants: Quickly started to meet sudden increases in electricity demand.
- Combined Cycle Power Plants (CCPP): Highly efficient systems where waste heat from the gas turbine is used to generate steam, which in turn drives a steam turbine to produce additional electricity.
- Cogeneration (CHP) Plants: Producing both electricity and useful heat for industrial processes or heating.
Oil and Gas Industry
In the oil and gas sector, gas turbines provide power for:
- Pipeline Compression: Driving compressors that move natural gas through pipelines over long distances.
- Offshore Platforms: Generating electricity and power for pumps and other equipment on offshore drilling and production platforms.
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plants: Providing power for refrigeration and compression processes.
Industrial and Marine Applications
Gas turbines also find uses in other industrial settings and marine propulsion:
- Industrial Drive: Powering large pumps, compressors, and other mechanical equipment in various manufacturing and processing plants.
- Marine Propulsion: Used in some naval vessels and high-speed ferries due to their power density and compact size.
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems: Similar to power generation, providing heat and power for industrial sites.
These diverse applications underscore the importance of gas turbine technology across global energy, transportation, and industrial infrastructures.
Summary of Applications
| Application Sector | Primary Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation | Providing thrust for propulsion | Jet airplanes, Helicopters |
| Power Generation | Generating electricity | Power plants (peaking, combined cycle, CHP) |
| Oil & Gas Industry | Driving compressors and generators | Pipelines, offshore platforms, LNG facilities |
| Industrial Drives | Powering large mechanical equipment | Pumps, compressors |
| Marine Propulsion | Powering ships | Naval vessels, high-speed ferries |
Gas turbines are critical components enabling efficiency and high power output in these vital areas.
