Open cycle gas turbine operation means

• A. Exhaust is recirculated back to the combustor
• B. Exhaust is not recirculated back to the combustor
• C. It uses regenerative heating
• D. It uses water injection

Answer: (B)

Open cycle operation means the working fluid is not recirculated; after the hot gases expand through the turbine, the exhaust is released to the atmosphere and fresh air is drawn in for the next cycle. This is why the statement that the exhaust is not recirculated back to the combustor is the best description. Regenerative heating can be used to improve efficiency by exchanging heat with the incoming air, but it doesn’t involve sending exhaust back into the combustor. Water injection can alter performance for cooling or NOx control, but it doesn’t define whether the cycle is open or closed.