The operating power of the gas turbine is directly related to what factor?

The operating power of a gas turbine is directly related to the mass of gas passing through per second. In a gas turbine, power output is primarily determined by the amount of air (or gas) that is compressed, heated, and expanded within the turbine. The fundamental relationship here is guided by the principles of thermodynamics, specifically the laws governing mass flow and energy conversion.

When more mass flows through the turbine, it allows for greater energy transfer, resulting in higher power output. This is because the turbine extracts energy from the high-temperature, high-pressure gases produced during combustion, and the energy that can be harnessed is proportional to how much gas is available to convert that energy.

While the speed of the turbine blades, temperature of the gas, and quality of the fuel are all important parameters that influence turbine performance and efficiency in various ways, they do not directly determine the power output in the same fundamental manner that mass flow does. Speed affects the operational efficiency and response time, temperature impacts the energy content of the gas, and fuel quality relates to combustion efficiency, but they are secondary factors influencing the overall power output in relation to mass flow.