Some Considerations in the Application of a Gas Turbine Cycle to the Manufacture of Nitric Oxide

Author: MacLeod, Gordon John

Year: 1953

Degree: Engineer's thesis

Advisor: Penner, Stanford S.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Mechanical Engineering

DOI: 10.7907/YN04-XS79

Abstract

Certain problems associated with the application of a gas turbine cycle to the manufacture of nitric oxide are investigated. The feasibility of quenching the nitric oxide decomposition reaction with a De Laval nozzle is demonstrated. Thermochemical studies show that yields of nitric oxide approaching one percent are attainable in a gas turbine cycle. The severe turbine blade cooling problem can be surmounted with the use of either transpiration cooling or film cooling. Transpiration cooling with internal liquid vaporization is found to be the most promising method. The coolant requirements amount only to approximately one percent of the main stream mass flow per cooled-turbine-blade row. The effect of transpiration and film cooling upon cycle performance is negligible. Although all the problems associated with the application of a gas turbine cycle to the manufacture of nitric oxide appear to be surmountable, no attempt is, however, made in this study to ascertain the economical feasibility of the process. The answer to this question involves factors which are not purely technical and thus lies outside the scope of the thesis.

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