09 ME 93 Yasir hashmi

QUEST Nawabshah

Turbines
A turbine is a rotary engine that extracts energy from a

fluid flow and converts it into useful work.

There are two basic types of turbines according to

the mode of steam.
1. Impulse turbine
2. Reaction turbine

Impulse turbine
Working principle
It runs by impulse of steam.
Nozzle directs the steam on the curved blades, which

causes them to rotate.

The blades are in the shape of buckets.

 The energy to rotate an impulse turbine is derived

from the kinetic energy of the steam flowing through

the nozzle.
The potential energy is converted into kinetic energy
when it passes through the nozzle.
The velocity of steam is reduced when it passes over
the blades.

Reaction turbine
Working principle
It has no nozzle.
Two rows of moveable blades are separated by one row of

fixed blades.
Fixed blades are attached to the casing & act as nozzles.
Blades are like the wings of a plane.

 Velocity of steam is increased when it passes through

the fixed blades.

The enthalpy drop in moving blades is called degree of
reaction.
A common arrangement can have 50% of enthalpy
drop in moving blades, it is said to have 50% reaction.
If all enthalpy drops in moving blades then it is said to
be 100% reaction.

Difference between impulse and

reaction turbine
S.NO

Impulse turbine

Reaction turbine

1.

The steam flows through the

nozzle and impinges on the
moving blades.

The steam first flows through the

guide mechanism and then through
the moving blades.

The steam impinges on the

buckets with kinetic energy.

The steam glides over the moving

vanes with pressure and kinetic
energy.

3.

The steam may or may not be

admitted over the whole
circumference.

The steam pressure is reduced

during its flow through the moving
blades.

4.

The blades are symmetrical

The blades are not symmetrical

2.

Efficiency
To maximize the efficiency of steam turbine the steam

is expanded, generating work in a number of stages.

Multiple stages turbines are highly efficient.
Most steam turbines use a mixture of both impulse
and reaction design.
Higher pressure sections are impulse type and lower
pressure sections are reaction type.

Advantages of steam turbine

It can develop higher speeds.
The steam consumption is less.
All the parts are enclosed in a casing so it is safe.

It requires less space and lighter foundations.

There is very less friction in the turbine due to few

sliding parts.

Uses
Turbines are used in force draft blowers, pumps and

main propulsion turbines.

Used in the jet engines and air crafts.
They are also used in power plants , ships and
submarines.

 Pressure velocity graph of impulse and reaction

turbines.

Thanks