Gas Turbine

Gas turbines, also called combustion turbines, generate power using pressurized gas. This is achieved through a three-part process¹:

1. Air enters into the turbine
2. A fuel source is burnt, generating heat. This heat causes the air in the turbine to expand, building pressure.
3. The pressure of the expanding air turns a turbine. The motion of this turbine can be connected to a generator which creates electricity or harnessed and used for motion.

Gas turbines are commonly used in transportation and in industrial processes, powering everything from planes and ships to heavy machinery¹.

Gas turbines are a type of internal combustion engine.  This is because the air pressurization is done in the turbine by the burning of a fuel source. Another example of an internal combustion engines is a diesel engine².

Unlike many other types of turbines, gas turbines are ‘continuous combustion engines’. This is because the turbine is constantly pulling in fresh air, compressing it and using it to generate power².