TURBINES

Turbines are rotating fluid machines of the dynamic

kind that produce shaft power (Torque x angular
velocity) from primary sources of energy (prime
mover).
A Turbine is a device which converts the heat energy
of steam into the kinetic energy & then to rotational
energy.
The Motive Power in a steam turbine is obtained by the
rate of change in momentum of a high velocity jet of
steam impinging on a curved blade which is free to
rotate.

TURBINES
The common types: Steam, gas, hydraulic and wind
turbines.
Steam and gas turbines: Thermal turbines due to high
temperature of the working fluid. (The temperature of
steam could around 540C and that of air in gas turbine
is1400C).
Steam Turbines are mainly used for electricity
generation.
Gas turbines are used to propel aircrafts because of their
high power to weight ratio.
Steam and Gas turbines
compressors and pumps
machinery.

are also used to drive

and other high speed

STEAM TURBINES
Commonly used prime mover - runs large generators to
produce electric power in Thermal or Nuclear power
plants.
High pressure, high temperature steam is generated in
boilers.
This steam continuously interact with alternate rows of
blades.
The blades are stationary (stator /nozzle blades) and
rotating (rotor blades)
This interaction produces the required torque and speed
(shaft power).
In stator blades energy transformation takes place while
in rotor blades energy transfer takes place.
The two aspects of the analysis:
- Energy consideration

ENERGY CONSIDERATION
Steam enters the turbine with high specific energy e1
(energy for unit mass) at section (1) and leaves the
turbine at section (2) with a lower specific energy e2.
Conservation of energy principle:
Power,

P = m(e1-e2) = T x = mws (W)

where, ws Specific work (work done by unit kg)

Turbine coupled with an alternator

PROBLEM
In a steam turbine, the mass flow rate of steam is 15
kg/s. The specific energy at inlet is 3000 kJ/kg while that
at the outlet is 2500 kJ/kg. Determine the power output.
Also determine the torque, if the speed is 3000 r/min.
Neglect the losses.
Solution:
Power = 15 (3000 2500) = 15 x 500 = 7500 kW = 7.5
MW
Torque = power / = (7.5 x106/ 2 x3000) x 60 = 23.87
kN-m.

MOMENTUM CONSIDERATION
The power developed in the turbine can also be
calculated by considering the momentum change.
This analysis leads to an important equation turbine equation.
Specific work (work done/unit mass)
Ws= u (Cu1-Cu2)
Power, P = mws
where u is the blade speed = dn/60
Cu1 and Cu2 - components of steam velocity
in the direction of rotation at inlet and exit
to the rotor.

Euler

IMPULSE and REACTION

IMPULSE:
The force obtained on an object when a jet of fluid
strikes the object with a velocity.
REACTION:
The force obtained on an object when a fluid leaves the
object with a high relative velocity.

IMPULSE AND REACTION TURBINES

Two types of Turbines : Impulse and reaction turbine.
Energy transfer normally takes place in the rotor of the
turbine.
Impulse turbine:
Steam possesses only kinetic energy while entering the rotor
(no pressure energy) and leaves the rotor with reduced
kinetic energy.
The total energy transfer is only due to the change in K.E.
Reaction turbine:
The rotation is due to reactive forces rather than the direct
push or impulse.
Degree of reaction: 1 fraction of energy transfer due to
change in KE.
i.e. if the total energy transfer is 100 units and of this, that
due to change in kinetic energy is 40 units, then degree of
reaction

DEGREE OF REACTION
Defined as :
1 fraction of energy transfer due to change in KE.
Ex: Total energy transfer is 100 units and of this,
energy transfer due to change in kinetic energy is 40
units.
Degree of reaction,
R = [1- (40/100)] = 0.6 or 60%.

SIMPLE IMPULSE TURBINE (DE LAVAL TURBINE)

Consists of a rotor with a single row of blades.
High pressure & high temperature steam enters through
section A and expands through a few nozzles (that
produces a high velocity jet).
At the exit of the nozzle (2), the steam possesses only
kinetic energy.
This high velocity steam jet impinges the rotor blades
and transfers the kinetic energy to the rotor.

SIMPLE IMPULSE TURBINE (DE LAVAL TURBINE)

Energy transfer takes place only in the rotor (reduced
specific energy).
In the nozzle energy transformation
(conversion of pressure into KE).

takes

Pressure (p), velocity (v) and sp. energy(e) change

for steam flow through the turbine.

place

IMPULSE / REACTION TURBINES

IMPULSE / REACTION TURBINES

COMPOUNDING OF TURBINES
The speed of a simple impulse turbine is very high
(30,000 r/min.)
Most applications require much lower speeds.
Hence we go for compounding of impulse turbines.
Compounding reduces the speed of the turbine without
any drop in its efficiency.

Types of compounding:
- Velocity compounding
- Pressure compounding
- Pressure velocity compounding.

VELOCITY COMPOUNDING (CURTIS STAGE)

A nozzle, two rows of rotor blades and a row of stator blades
in between them.
The high pressure & high temp. steam passes through few
nozzles.
The entire energy of steam is converted into kinetic energy
(velocity).
Thus pressure energy is transformed to kinetic energy in the
nozzle.
The specific energy in the nozzle remains the same since
there is no energy transfer.
The steam leaving the nozzle passes through the first row of
rotor blades.
Velocity decreases while pressure remains the same and
specific energy decreases indicating energy transfer.

VELOCITY COMPOUNDING (CURTIS STAGE)

Steam then passes through the stator row of blades.
The direction of velocity is changed for smooth entry into
the next row of rotor blades.
In this row there is no change in specific energy,
pressure and velocity.
Finally, steam passes through the second row of rotor
blades.
The velocity decreases, pressure remains the same and
specific energy decreases indicating energy transfer.

VELOCITY COMPOUNDING (CURTIS STAGE)

2-stage velocity compounding

(KE transfer takes place in 2-stages)

PRESSURE COMPOUNDING

Actual steam turbines will have pressure-velocity

compounding.

STEAM TURBINE

GE Steam Turbine
Turbine blades

AIRFOIL
Airfoil is a Streamlined body.