Optimizing a Brayton Cycle to Produce Shaft Power

[Green Zach]

I have a question about the minimum amount of heat required to operate a theoretical brayton cycle engine that is optimized for producing shaft power, not thrust (if that matters). What is the relationship between inlet compression ratio and other variables, turbine variables, and minimum required amount of heat addition required to sustain the cycle? Would heating between 400-600 degrees Celsius be enough to power a brayton cycle that uses a compressor and turbine about the size of those in a car's turbocharger?

 

[Future Bruno]

The required amount of heat addition to the Brayton cycle is determined by the inlet compression ratio, turbine and compressor efficiencies, and the desired shaft power output. To produce the desired shaft power output, the Brayton cycle must be able to extract enough energy from the heat source to supply the energy losses due to the turbine and compressor efficiencies, as well as any parasitic losses associated with the system. The minimum temperature required for a given Brayton cycle depends on the design parameters, such as the size of the turbine and compressor, but typically, temperatures between 400 and 600 degrees Celsius are sufficient for most applications.