General Electric Company
Recuperator for gas turbine engine

Abstract:

A recuperator includes a monolithic heat exchanger core having a first side proximal to a combustor inlet and a turbine outlet, and a second side that includes an exhaust outlet. A compressed air inlet is located on the second side, and a compressed air outlet is located on the first side. The compressed air outlet supplies air to a combustor. A first plurality of passageways connects the compressed air inlet to the compressed air outlet. A turbine exhaust inlet is located on the first side, and a turbine exhaust outlet is located on the second side. A second plurality of passageways connects the turbine exhaust inlet to the turbine exhaust outlet. The first and second plurality of passageways are defined by parting plates that extend radially outward in a spiral pattern that maintains a substantially equal distance between adjacent parting plates.