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Brayton (jet engine) Cycle Template

Animated T-s (Temperature-entropy) diagram for the Brayton cycle including non-ideal compressor and turbine
UPDATED: 06/29/2023

(Cold Air Standard) Template including Regeneration

This spreadsheet provides a template for analysis of the Brayton Cycle using the Cold Air Standard (constant specific heats). The user fills in the appropriate relations as cell formulae in the top grid. From that data, the workbook updates cells in the second (Processes) grid.  In addition to numerical values, the interface creates Pressure-volume and Temperature-entropy (T-s) diagrams.  The user makes changes for non-idealities in the compressor, burner and turbine in the third grid.  (These areas are crosshatched in the animated gif below.).  Those plots are added to the T-s and P-v diagrams.   A second sheet in the same workbook (not seen below but operating in a similar fashion) includes Regeneration.  Buttons located at the top right control display of photographs of a modern, high-bypass-ratio turbofan engine and of applications of that particular engine in modern aircraft.

Interface for Brayton thermodynamic cycle.  The user adds equations for each state point in cells at the top left (using ideal gas law, etc.). The workbook takes that data to fill in the processes grid just below.   With state point data, the interface automatically creates the T-s and P-v diagrams at the bottom right. When ideal cycle calculations are complete, the user uncovers the section for a non-ideal cycle.   The user makes changes there to account for non-idealities in the compressor, turbine and combustor. In the upper right is a schematic of a modern, two-spool, high-bypass-ratio turbofan. Buttons reveal photos of an actual example and several of its applications.

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