What acronym can help remember the stages of the Brayton cycle?

The acronym "SUCKS" is effective for remembering the stages of the Brayton cycle, which are intake, compression, combustion, and expansion. Each letter represents a key phase in the cycle:

• "S" stands for the process where air is drawn into the engine during the intake stage.

• "U" represents the compression stage where the air is compressed, increasing both its pressure and temperature.

• "C" indicates the combustion phase, where fuel is introduced and ignited to produce energy.

• "K" can be interpreted as the expansion stage, where the high-pressure gas expands and does work, usually by turning a turbine.

• "S" refers to the exhaust stage, where the exhaust gases are expelled from the system.

By using this mnemonic, it becomes easier to recall the fundamental steps involved in the Brayton cycle, which is crucial for understanding how gas turbines operate effectively.