Performance Analysis of an LPG-Fueled Micro Gas Turbine Under Extreme Climate Conditions

In battery electric vehicles (BEVs), range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) are gaining prominence due to range limitations, long charging times, and limited charging infrastructure. Range losses are particularly evident under extreme climate conditions, necessitating the development of efficient range-extender (RE) systems. In this study, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-fueled, recuperator-equipped Micro Gas Turbine (MGT) was modeled as a standalone range-extending power unit using the Simcenter simulation environment, and its thermodynamic performance was examined under extreme climate conditions. While existing MGT studies in the literature generally focus on diesel-fueled systems, this study fills a significant gap in the literature by modeling the effects of using low-carbon, high-energy-density LPG. The performance of the MGT system was analyzed in extreme cold (−10 °C), standard (20 °C), and hot (45 °C) climates; at three different turbine inlet temperatures (1000, 1100, and 1250 K); and at three recuperator effectiveness settings (0.75, 0.85, and 0.95). The developed MGT system achieved a maximum thermal efficiency of 41.1% and a specific fuel consumption (SFC) of 188.67 g/kWh under cold climate conditions of −10 °C (263.15 K), a turbine inlet temperature (TIT) of 1250 K, and a recuperator effectiveness of 0.95. Consequently, specific CO2 emissions were reduced to 566.01 g/kWh. The study’s most significant contribution to the literature is that the developed system offers high thermal efficiency, low fuel consumption, and low emissions under extremely cold climate conditions (−10 °C), where electric vehicle batteries typically experience performance and range loss. The LPG-fueled micro gas turbine with a recuperator demonstrates the potential to serve as an efficient, low-emission and competitive auxiliary power unit (APU) for range-extender applications, particularly under extreme climatic conditions.