What is the basic sequence of events in a Brayton cycle for a gas turbine engine?

• A. Intake/compression, combustion/heat addition, expansion/turbine work, exhaust.
• B. Intake, compression, expansion, exhaust.
• C. Intake, cooling, combustion, exhaust.
• D. Intake, combustion, exhaust, expansion.

Answer: (A)

In a Brayton cycle, the working fluid follows a four-step sequence: air is drawn in and compressed to high pressure, fuel is added and burned in the combustor (heat addition) at roughly constant pressure, the hot gases expand through the turbine to produce shaft work, and finally the exhaust gases are expelled. This order—intake/compression, combustion/heat addition, expansion/turbine work, exhaust—matches the standard cycle and is why it’s the best choice. Other sequences misplace the heat addition, insert cooling before combustion, or put expansion after exhaust, which doesn’t reflect how a Brayton cycle operates.