A thermodynamic analysis of a combination of the catalytic oxidation of methane and expansion of the reaction mixture in the gas turbine cycle

Approaches to decreasing the loss of chemical exergy of methane in the gas turbine cycle were considered. The adiabatic isothermal oxidation of methan e on a catalyst in conjunction with a mechanical expansion of the reaction mixture, use of oxygen instead of air, recycling of oxidation products (H2O and CO2), and intermediate conversion of methane conversion under action o f the products were examined. It was found that the highest thermodynamic e ffect could be achieved by combining the catalytic oxidation and expansion of gases.