Which factors most significantly affect gas turbine performance?

The factors that most significantly affect gas turbine performance include temperature, pressure, and humidity.

Temperature is crucial as it directly influences the efficiency of the combustion process and the thermodynamic properties of the air-fuel mixture in the turbine. Higher temperatures typically enhance the energy output and efficiency of the gas turbine, while also affecting the material strength and durability of the components.

Pressure plays a vital role as well. The air density—affected by pressure—impacts the mass flow rate entering the turbine. Higher pressure enables more air to enter, improving engine performance since more fuel can be effectively combusted, thereby increasing thrust and overall efficiency.

Humidity, although it may seem less significant, also affects performance by altering the air density. High humidity means the air is less dense, which can decrease mass flow and, consequently, the performance of the gas turbine. Understanding how these three factors interplay under varying operational conditions is critical for optimizing gas turbine performance.