The goal of achieving minimum-volume, light-weight, efficient and environmentally clean "small" gas-turbine systems for aircraft propulsion may be met with an innovative pulsed-combustor-driven, recuperated or regenerated, gas turbine (PCRGT) concept. It is based upon the fact that pulsating combustion generates velocity fluctuations which propagate throughout the system and increase heat and mass transport. Combustion and diluent air mixing are intensified by the pulsations, thereby leading to greater combustion efficiency and smaller and lighter combustors. Pressure is gained across the combustor, which directly increases cycle efficiency. Heat-exchanger heat transport is significantly improved, leading to smaller and lighter heat exchangers. Under the Phase I SBIR effort, the concept was analytically evaluated and shown to reduce small gas turbine specific fuel consumption by 22 percent, increase specific power by 32 percent, reduce recuperator volume and weight by 46 percent and 32 percent, respectively, and reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen by 75 percent. These substantial increases in engine performance were found to require minimal engine modifications beyond replacing the steady flow combustor with a pulsating combustor. Potential Commercial Application: Potential Commercial Application: The PCRGT concept is applicable to a wide variety of commercial and government aircraft propulsion, ground transportation, and power generation applications
