Abstract
Natural-gas expansion turbines are driven by gas in the same way that steam drives steam turbines. These gas-expansion turbines are supplied with energy in the form of heat energy in the gas, and they convert this into useful mechanical energy. Turbines of this type are not to be confused with the combustion type of gas turbine in which the fuel is burned and the resultant gases allowed to expand, generating power, then exhausted and thrown away. In a natural-gas turbine, the gas is allowed to expand and is exhausted into subsequent processes and may be used for combustion or chemical reduction. The gas undergoes only a change in pressure and temperature and undergoes no chemical change in passing through the turbine. Thus the conversion of power can be considered a “by-product” to the normal uses of the gas.
