STEAM TURBINES

What is Steam Turbine

Steam turbine is a machine capable of transforming thermal energy (from steam) to mechanical energy. OR Steam Turbine is a prime mover in which, heat energy is transformed into mechanical energy.

Purpose of Steam Turbines

Broadly speaking, Purpose of Steam turbines is divided into two broad categories: Generating Electric Power General - Purpose units used for driving pumps, compressors etc. In both cases Steam Turbine will act as a prime mover.

Principle of Working
When Steam is passed through a nozzle, it expands (transforming pressure into velocity). This high velocity (momentum) steam, when impinges on the blades, cause the wheel (rotor) to revolve.

Types of Steam Turbine

Steam turbines are categorized by the following three different ways:

From working principle

Impulse Turbine Reaction Turbine

From number of steages

Single stage turbine Multi stage turbine

Impulse Principle
If steam at high pressure is allowed to expand through a stationary nozzle, the result will be a drop in steam pressure and an increase in steam velocity. If the direction of this high velocity steam changed by passing it through a properly shaped turbine blade, will generate an impulse force. This impulse force will cause the blade to move.

Impulse Principle
Impulse Blade Impul se Force Steam Out Steam In

Reaction Principle
When high pressure steam is allowed to expand through a nozzle. It will produce a reaction force in the opposite direction. Causing the blade to move.

Movin g Blade

Steam Nozzle Stationar y Blade

Reaction Principle

Stea m Out

Reacti on Force

Single Stage Turbine

This type of turbine intakes and expands the steam in a single row of nozzles and the kinetic (velocity) energy of steam is converted into a mechanical one, by one or two rows of buckets. Single stage turbines are used mainly for small output service, such as driving a pump.

Single Stage Turbine

Multi-stage Turbine
A multistage turbine consists of a series of stages arranged on a single shaft. It is designed so that each stage shares only a part of the total pressure difference. Each stage has a set of nozzle rows and bucket rows and is arranged in series to expand the steam by turns. These turbines are energy efficient and used for medium to large power service to drive large pumps, compressors and (electric)

Multi-stage Turbine