The Development of Gas Turbine Power Plants for Traction Purposes in Germany

Abstract

The simpler and cheaper construction, and the prospect of using fuel of low quality and of considerably increasing the power-to-weight and power-to-volume ratios of the power unit, led the Germans towards the end of the war to investigate the possibility of using gas turbines for land traction units. It was expected by them that they would be able to employ this new type of power plant for a variety of ground traction purposes, but, owing to their total national mobilization, the most important immediate applications they had in mind were for war purposes. It is considered that the information obtained and given in this paper may prove a useful background when considering the possibilities of future development of gas turbine power plants. The various arrangements possible, using either one single turbine, or separate turbines to drive the compressor and provide the output of useful work, were considered by the Germans and a résumé is therefore made of the characteristics of each. In addition, the salient features of the components—compressor, turbines, and combustion chamber—and their development for the purposes which the Germans had in mind, are given.