In the Brayton Cycle four processes take place in gas turbine engines. These processes were first described by George Brayton, hence the name. They occur in all internal combustion engines. The Brayton steps are as follows:
1.Compression occurs between the intake and the outlet of the compressor. During this process, pressure and temperature of the air increases.
2.Combustion takes place in the combustion chamber where fuel and air are mixed to explosive proportion and ignited. The addition of heat causes a sharp increase in volume.
3.Expansion occurs in the turbine as hot gas accelerates from the combustion chamber. The gases at constant pressure and increased volume enter the turbine and expand through it.
4.Exhaust occurs at the engine exhaust stack with a large drop in volume and at a constant pressure.
Below, a drawing/diagram of the Brayton Cycle in a jet engine.
