STEAM TURBINES

The steam turbine is a prime-mover in which the potential energy of the

steam is transformed into kinetic energy, and later in its turn is transformed into
mechanical energy of rotation of the turbine shaft.
CLASSIFICATION OF STEAM TURBINE
There are several ways in which the steam turbines may be classified. The
most important and common division being with respect to the action of the
steam, as:
(a)

Impulse

(b)

Reaction

(c)

Combination of impulse and reaction.

Other classifications are:

1.

2.

According to the number of pressure stages:

(i)

Single stage turbine with one or more velocity stages

(ii)

Multistage impulse and reaction turbines

According to the direction of steam flow:

(i)

Axial turbines Steam flow is parallel to axis of the turbine

(ii)

Radial turbines Steam flow is perpendicular to axis of the turbine

3.

4.

5.

6.

According to the number of cylinders:

(i)

Single cylinder turbine

(ii)

Multi cylinder turbine

According to the method of governing:

(i)

Turbine with throttle governing

(ii)

Turbine with nozzle governing

(iii)

Turbine with bypass governing

According to steam conditions at inlet to turbine:

(i)

Low pressure turbines- 1..2 bar to 2 bar

(ii)

Medium pressure turbines up to 40 bar

(iii)

High pressure turbines above 40 bar

According to their usage in industry:

(i)

Stationary turbines with constant speed

(ii)

Stationary turbines with variable speed

(iii)

Non-stationary turbines with variable speed.

ADVANTAGES OF STEAM TURBINE OVER STEAM ENGINES

The thermal efficiency of a steam turbine is much higher than that of a steam
engine.
The power generation in a steam turbine is at a uniform rate; therefore
necessity to use a flywheel (as in the case of steam engine) is not felt.
Much higher speeds and greater range of speed is possible than in case of a
steam engine
In large thermal stations where we need higher outputs, the steam turbines
prove very suitable as these can be made in big sizes
With the absence of reciprocation parts (as in the case of steam engine) the
balancing problem is minimised.
No internal lubrication is required as there are no rubbing parts in the steam
turbine
In a steam turbine there is no loss due to initial condensation of steam
it can utilise high vacuum very advantageously
Considerable overloads can be carried at the expense of slight reduction in
overall efficiency.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IMPULSE AND REACTION TURBINES

S.No
1

Particulars

Impulse turbine

Reaction turbine

Pressure drop

Only in nozzles and In

fixed
blades
not in moving blades (Nozzle) as well as in

moving blades
2

Area of blade channels

Constant

Varying
type)

(converging

Blades

Profile type

Aerofoil type

Admission of steam

Not all round

complete

Nozzle / fixed blades

Diaphragm contains Fixed blades similar to

the nozzle
moving blades attached
to the casing serve as
nozzles and guide the
steam

Power

Not much power can Much power can be

be developed
developed

Space

Spaces reuires less Requires more space

space for sam power for same power

Efficiency

Low

Suitability

Suitable for small Suitable for medium

power requirements and
high
power
requirements

10

Blade manufacture

Not difficult

or All round or complete

High

Difficult