Technical Comparison Between the Gas Turbine and Combustion Engine

Gas turbine engines have changed the way we produce electricity, offering high-efficiency power generation through advanced combustion technology. Since their first commercial use in 1939, these engines have become essential in every power plant worldwide. They generate high-speed, reliable energy from a variety of fuels.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how a gas turbine operates. We will compare it to reciprocating engines. We will highlight its components, performance, and operational advantages.

What Is a Gas Turbine Engine?

A gas turbine engine is a combustion engine. It uses air and fuel to create high-temperature gases. These gases are high-pressure and spin a turbine to produce mechanical energy. This energy helps produce electricity or powers other machinery. Unlike engines that operate in cycles, a turbine engine runs on continuous combustion. It can use various fuels, including natural gas, diesel, and synthetic alternatives.

How Does a Gas Turbine Engine Work?

A typical turbine engine consists of three key parts:

The compressor draws in large volumes of air and compresses it into compressed air. This air acts as the base for combustion and energy generation. In engineering designs, advanced control systems regulate airflow and maintain efficiency at higher temperature ranges. Similar to a steam engine, the compressor converts kinetic energy into thermal energy. This energy moves to the next stage.

Inside the chamber, someone injects fossil fuel, such as natural gas, into compressed air. They ignite this mixture to produce exhaust gas at an extremely high temperature. These gases serve as a power source, flowing into the turbine. In advanced systems, heat exchanger technology boosts thermal efficiency by recycling heat. Heat exchangers work like those in nuclear reactors or combined cycle power plants.

The turbine rapidly expands the hot gases, spinning blades at high speed. This rotation helps drive the compressor and powers an electric generator to create electricity. Depending on the type of internal design, engineers may add an electric motor for hybrid systems. The process follows the Brayton Cycle, where efficiency depends on pressure ratio and firing temperature. Engineers include monitoring to keep operations stable.

Read More: Gas Turbine Power Station for Industries

How Does a Combustion Engine Work?

A typical internal combustion engine has three parts:

Here, an air-fuel mix enters the cylinder. The piston compresses it into a smaller volume. Unlike a gas turbine engine, a combustion engine operates in cycles, not continuous flow. Modern control systems adjust fuel delivery for maximum power output while reducing waste. This differs from older steam engine setups, but it still converts thermal energy into usable power.

A spark plug ignites the compressed mix in gasoline engines, or heat does so in diesel engines. This blast releases thermal energy and generates exhaust gas. The pressure becomes the propulsion system, much like jets or gas turbine engines. Engineers may add heat exchanger systems to cut emissions.

The blast pushes the piston down, creating mechanical energy that rotates the crankshaft. This energy powers vehicles, machines, or an electric generator. Later, exhaust gases exit the cylinder for the cycle to repeat. You can combine a jet engine or propulsion system with a combustion engine in hybrid systems. The type of internal design decides how the electric motor and engine run together. Engineers design these for maximum power output while ensuring durability.

Thermal Efficiency & Combined Cycle Operations

While a simple cycle gas turbine engine has an average efficiency of 30-40%, combined cycle systems improve this dramatically.

How?

Combined cycle power plants capture exhaust gas from the gas turbine, usually around 600°C. They use this heat to power a steam engine. These plants achieve thermal efficiency of 55–60%.
However, operating in combined mode requires:

• Longer startup times
• Complex purging procedures
• Gradual ramp-up to full power output

Read More: Innovations for Improved Gas Turbine Productivity

Gas Turbines vs. Combustion Engines: A Technical Comparison

Here’s how a gas turbine operates compared to a combustion engine across several operational metrics:

Key Benefits of Gas Turbine Engines

Gas Turbine Applications & Industry Use

Gas turbine operates widely in:

They’re ideal for situations requiring continuous, high-speed energy generation and a dependable power source.

Need Expert Gas Turbine Solutions?

At Prismecs, we offer cutting-edge services for gas turbine engines. We deliver equipment and control systems tailored to meet your industry's specific needs. Whether you're looking for parts, complete systems, or maintenance support, our expert team is here to help.

Contact us today to learn how we can optimize your mechanical energy systems. To avail of our services, please call us at +1 (888) 774-7632 or email us at sales@prismecs.com. Visit our website or reach out to our Contact Us page to get started!