The Hybrid Concept of Turboshaft Engine Enhanced by Steam Cycle Using Waste Heat Recovery—Combined Analytical and Numerical Calculation of Its Efficiency

Abstract

The article presents a hybrid concept of a turboshaft engine that fits into the area of PGE (pressure-gained combustion). It combines the advantages and elements of a piston engine and a turbine engine. The combustion takes place in isochoric chambers. The proposed timing system of the engine efficiently realizes the Humphrey cycle. Additionally, the main gas cycle engine was enhanced by the Clausius–Rankine steam cycle to achieve effective power of engine equal to 1231.3 kW. It was supplied by waste heat recovery from the exhaust gas. The enhancement of the engine by the secondary steam cycle significantly improved engine effective efficiency with a final value reaching 0.446. The effective efficiency and specific fuel consumption of the engine were calculated using merged analytical–numerical CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis. The centrifugal compressor, gas turbine, and steam turbine can work on the common shaft whose rotational velocity is 35,000 rpm. Because of additional weight, it could have potential applications for stationary use or heavy military units.