Where are regenerators installed in a gas turbine system?

In a gas turbine system, regenerators are typically installed between the outlet of the gas turbine and the low-pressure (LP) turbine sections. The primary function of a regenerator, or heat exchanger, is to recover waste heat from the exhaust gases and utilize it to preheat the incoming air before it enters the combustion chamber. This process enhances the overall thermal efficiency of the gas turbine by reducing the amount of fuel required to achieve the desired temperature for combustion.

By positioning the regenerator in this location, the system is able to capitalize on the energy that would otherwise be lost with the exhaust gases, allowing the gas turbine to operate more efficiently. The recovered heat essentially raises the temperature of the incoming air, ensuring that the combustors receive higher temperature airflow, which contributes to improved combustion efficiency and reduced emissions.

In contrast to this placement, other configurations do not effectively utilize heat recovery or are not standard practice within gas turbine designs. For instance, placing regenerators between components like the combustors and the high-pressure turbine sections would not facilitate effective heat recovery since the gases have already undergone combustion and expanded. Such placements would negate the efficiency advantages that regenerators are meant to provide.