Elongated ceramic heat exchange units are arranged with each such unit axially oriented and all arranged parallel to each other in a ring surrounding the compressor, gas turbine and combustion chamber of a gas turbine motor. Each heat exchange unit has a multiplicity of rectangular slot channels through alternate ones of which the hot exhaust gas and the compressed air supply flow in counter-current. The cross sections of these channels all have their long dimension disposed substantially radially with respect to the axis of symmetry common to the principal components. The respective inputs for the two sets of channels are both from the inside of the ring arrangement but at opposite ends of each heat exchanger element; whereas the exit openings are in the end faces of the heat exchanger elements. The outlets for the compressed gas that has been heated in the heat exchanger communicate with a space that not only leads the compressed air to the compressed chamber but also allows the compressed air to reach space between the outside of the heat exchanger and an external casing, so as to cause the compressed air to apply its pressure to the heat exchanger elements tightening the seals between them and between each element and the input ducts on the inside of the ring. The same air pressure also applies an axial force to the heat exchanger elements, tightening the seals between them and the discharge duct for the exhaust gas. When the engine is not operating, the absence of this pressure facilitates replacement of a heat exchanger element.
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