Which of the following statements about the intercooled-recuperated gas turbine cycle is true? Refer to Illustration GT-0031

Correct Answer: Option D — The intercooler serves to reduce the required high-pressure compressor power while the recuperator utilizes waste heat form the exhaust to decrease required fuel to achieve the turbine inlet temperature.

Intercooling reduces the air temperature between compressor stages, decreasing the work required for compression. The recuperator recovers heat from the exhaust to preheat the air entering the combustor, which reduces the amount of fuel required to reach the target turbine inlet temperature, thereby increasing overall efficiency.