Feasibility Study on Designing a Heat Pipe to Reduce the Air Temperature in the Compressor of a Gas Turbine

ABSTRACT Heat pipes (HPs) are becoming increasingly popular because they are efficient heat transfer technologies. This study investigates the potential application of an HP as an air‐cooling system at the gas turbine (GT) inlet as a viable solution to increase GT power output. In particular, a case study is conducted on real GT engines operating in Kerman, Iran. First, a theoretical model is constructed using the established HP technologies to design a wick structure as a thermal control element. MATLAB‐based simulations are utilized for HP design and analysis to specify the impact of HP structural factors on heat transport capabilities, emphasizing the significance of operating orientation and the utilization of gravity to augment heat transport capacity. To validate the methodology, selected results from previous research are replicated and compared. The HP design is optimized to maximize thermal effectiveness, while the tube bank or heat exchanger system is optimized to minimize inlet air pressure drop. Computational results indicated that the optimal tilt angle is 15°. The proposed method shows that the heat transfer rate per HP reaches a maximum of 1.4878 kW at 40°C. Then, the case study results indicated that a net power output of up to 18.6% is achievable when utilizing HP heat exchangers, which maintains its effectiveness even at temperatures below the design threshold. Consequently, this system proves suitable for peak load conditions during hot seasons and year‐round performance. This technology offers a promising new approach to GT design, with significant implications for enhancing energy efficiency and power stabilization.