Abstract
In various companies throughout the world a first generation of production vehicle gas turbine engines are being engineered. A vital component involved is the regenerative heat exchanger.
The relative merits of the rotary regenerative and static recuperative heat exchanger are compared.
Thermal efficiency and competitive initial cost are the two vital issues involved in the design of small gas turbines for the commercial establishment of gas turbine vehicles.
The selection of a material for the rotary regenerator is essentially related to resolving the two vital issues of future small gas turbines and is, therefore, analysed.
The account of the pioneering work involved in engineering the glass ceramic and other non-metal rotary regenerators includes a complete failure analysis based on running experience with over 200 ceramic regenerators.
The problems of sealing, supporting and manufacturing the glass ceramic rotary generator are discussed and future practical regenerative designs are outlined.
Heat exchange theory applied to small gas turbines is also reviewed.
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