Don Bosco Institute of Technology,

Kurla, Mumbai
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Course Code : MEC803
Course Name: Power Engineering

Faculty Name : Prof. Cleta Pereira

Module 5: Steam Turbine - Introduction, Application,

Classification, Working of Impulse and Reaction Turbine,
Velocity Diagram, Work done for impulse and reaction turbine.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 1
 Objectives

• The learner will be able to:

• State applications of steam turbines.
• Classify Steam Turbines.
• State the advantages of steam turbine over reciprocating steam
engine.
• Explain the working of Impulse and Reaction Turbine.
• Explain the need for compounding.
• Explain the different types of compounding.

Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 2

 Introduction to Steam Turbines
• The steam turbine is universally used as a prime mover in all steam power plant (Eg. Coal Fired
Power Station or Liquified fuel Fired Power Plant).

• In the steam turbines, enthalpy of the steam is first converted into kinetic-energy in the nozzles
or blade passages. The operation of steam turbine wholly depends on the dynamic action of the
steam expanded through the nozzle.
• The high velocity steam impinges on the curved blades which change the flow direction of
steam.
• The change in the flow direction of steam causes a force to be exerted on the blades fixed on a
rotor and power is developed dure to the rotation of these blades.
• Steam pressure acting directly on the pistons is utilized in reciprocating steam engines.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 3
Advantages of Steam Turbine over Reciprocating Steam Engine

Steam Turbine Plant Reciprocating Steam Engine

Combined Steam Turbine Plant

Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 4

 Advantages of Steam Turbine over Reciprocating Steam Engine
• Steam turbine can run at high speed, it also has a wide range of operating speed.
• There are no reciprocating parts in a steam turbine, so there is no balancing problem.
• Fewer moving parts - The mechanism of turbine is simple and do not have links like piston,
piston head etc. the operation of turbine quiet and smooth.
• Condensate can be used directly in the boiler without pretreatment as there is very little chance
of lubricating oil mixing with the steam.
• There is no condensation loss as the parts of the steam turbines are subjected to constant
temperature and pressure at constant loads.
• High efficiency - the thermal efficiency of steam turbine is higher that of steam engine.
• Large overloads can carry in the expense of slight reduction in efficiency.
• In a steam turbine, there is no loss due to the initial condensation of steam.
• There is no rubbing part in a steam turbine. So there is no internal lubrication is required. In
case of steam engine there are rubbing parts, the lubrication is necessary to reduce friction.
• Steam turbines can build in large sizes, and they are suitable for higher output. It can be
designed to very large power up to 200,000 hp or more on a single shaft.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 5
 Classification of Steam Turbines
Steam Turbine

Impulse – Reaction Turbine (in practice

Impulse Turbine
known as Reaction Turbine)

• In both types of turbine, first the enthalpy of the steam at high pressure is converted into kinetic
energy by passing it through nozzles.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 6
 Working of Impulse Steam Turbine
Impulse Turbine
• In impulse turbine, first the enthalpy of
the steam at high pressure is converted
into kinetic energy by passing it
through nozzles.
• The steam coming out of the fixed
nozzle at a very high velocity, impinges
on the blades fixed on the periphery of
a rotor.
• The blades change the direction of the
steam flow without changing its
pressure.
• The resulting motive force (due to
change in momentum) causes the
rotation of the turbine shaft.
• The examples of impulse turbine are
De-Laval, Curties
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 7
Working of Impulse Steam Turbine

Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 8

 Working of Reaction Steam Turbine
Impulse – Reaction Turbine or Reaction Turbine
• In a pure reaction turbine, the high pressure steam from the boiler
is passed through the nozzles.
• When the steam comes out through these nozzles, the velocity of
the steam increases relative to the rotation disc.
• The resulting reacting force of the steam on the nozzle gives the
rotating motion to the disc and the shaft.
• The shaft rotates in the opposite direction
to that of the steam jet.
• In an impulse reaction turbine the steam
expands both in fixed and moving blades
continuously as the steam passes over
them.
• Therefore, the pressure drop occurs
gradually and continuously over both
moving and fixed blades. Eg. Parson’s
Turbine.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 9
Working of Reaction Steam Turbine

Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 10

 Difference Between Impulse and Reaction Turbine
Sr. Particulars
No
1 Pressure drop
2 Area of blade channels
3 Blades
4 Admission of steam
5 Nozzles/fixed blades
6 Power
7 Space
8 Efficiency
9 Suitability
10 Blade Manufacture
Impulse Turbine Reaction Turbine
Only in the nozzles and not in moving blades In fixed blades (nozzles) as well as in moving blades
Constant Varying (converging type)
Profile type Aerofoil type
Not all round or complete All round or complete
Diaphram contains the nozzle Fixed blades similar to moving blades attached to
the casing serve as nozzles and guide the steam
Not much power can be developed Much power can be developed
Requires less space for same power Requires more space for same power
Low High
Suitable for small power requirements Suitable for medium and higher power
requirements
Not difficult Difficult
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 11
 Need for Compounding
• In order to increase the plant thermal efficiency and to reduce the
size of the plant, the temperature and steam pressure used in the
power plants have being steadily increasing ranging from 100 - 400
bar.
• If the entire pressure drop from the boiler pressure(say 100 bar) to
condenser pressure(0.1 bar) is carried out in a single stage nozzle,
then the velocity of the steam entering the blades will be very high.
• Hence the turbine speed has to be very high as it is directly
proportional to the steam velocity.
• Such High r.p.m. of the turbine rotors are not useful for practical
purposes and a reduction gearing is necessary between the turbine
and the equipment (generator) driven by the turbine.
• There is also a danger of structural failure of the blades due to
excessive centrifugal stresses.
• Therefore, this gives rise to a considerable loss of kinetic energy
hence, the velocity of the blades is limited to around 400 m/s.
• These difficulties associated with the use of a single stage turbines
for large pressure drops can be solved by compounding i.e., the use
of more than one stage.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 12
 Types of Compounding
Pressure and Velocity
Velocity Compounding Pressure Compounding
Compounding

Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 13

 Velocity Compounding
• There is only one set of nozzles and two or more rows of moving
blades.
• Steam is expanded through a stationary nozzle from the boiler or
inlet pressure to condenser pressure.
• So the pressure in the nozzle drops, the kinetic energy of the
steam increases due to increase in velocity.
• The kinetic energy of the steam gained in the nozzle is
successively absorbed in the stages by the rows of moving blades
and finally the steam is exhausted from last row of the blades.
• The function of the fixed blades is only to direct the steam flow
without altering its velocity to the next moving blades where
again work is done on them and steam leaves with a low velocity.
• These are also known as guide blades.
• A turbine working on this principle is known as velocity
compounded impulse turbine. Eg. Curtis Turbine.
• The specific volume of the steam remains constant as the steam
flows along the axis of the turbine therefore the blade height is
small in all rows.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 14
 Pressure Compounding
• In this arrangement, the turbine is provided with
one row of fixed blades (works as nozzles) at the
entry of each row of moving blades.
• The steam at boiler pressure enters the first set of
nozzles and expand partially.
• The kinetic energy of the steam thus obtained is
absorbed by the moving blades (stage 1).
• The steam than expands partially in the second set
of nozzles where its pressure again falls and the
velocity increases; the kinetic energy so obtained
by the second ring of moving blades (stage 2).
• This is repeated in stage 3 and steam finally leaves
the turbine at low velocity and pressure.
• As the pressure of the steam gradually decreases,
the specific volume of the steam gradually
increases therefore the blade height has to be
increased towards the low pressure side.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 15
Pressure and Velocity Compounding
• This is a combination of pressure and velocity
compounding.
• The total pressure drop of the steam from the boiler to
condenser pressure is divided into a number of stages
as done in the pressure compounding and the velocity
obtained in each stage is also absorbed in several
stages.
• The variation of the velocity, pressure and specific
volume of the steam along the axis of the turbine is
seen in the diagram.
• The blade height in the second stage must be greater
than the first stage as the specific volume of steam in
higher in the second stage.
• This method has the advantage of pressure
compounding to provide higher pressure drop in each
stage and hence fewer stages and the advantage of
velocity compounding to reduce the velocity of each
blade row.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 16
 Velocity Diagram for Steam Turbine
• To determine the rate of change of momentum of steam across the
moving blades in order to find the force on the blades.
• The power developed can then be determined from a knowledge of
the flow rate and blade speed.
Inlet
• It is also equally important that the steam should enter and leave the Velocity
blade without any shock and hence suitable inlet and outlet angles of Triangle
the moving blades should be evaluated.
• This is made possible with the help of velocity diagrams at inlet and
outlet of the moving blade.
• The steam flows through the annulus formed by the blade rings and
useful impulse force should be calculated in the plane of rotation of
the blades, tangential to the turbine rotor.
• The velocity diagrams as shown in the figure are valid for the
moving blade of an impulse turbine and these diagrams should not Outlet
be used for reaction turbine blades, because in reaction turbines, the Velocity
Triangle
relative velocity of the steam increases as the steam flows over the
moving blades. In case of impulse turbine the relative velocity of
steam remains constant as steam flows over the blades.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 17
 Velocity Diagram
• U = Circumferential or tangential velocity of the blade.
for Steam Turbine
• Va1 = absolute velocity of steam at inlet of moving blade
• Va2 = absolute velocity of steam at outlet of moving blade
• Vw1 = velocity of whirl at the entry of the moving blade i.e., tangential
component of (Va1) = Va1 cos 1 Inlet
• Vw2 = velocity of whirl at the exit of the moving blade i.e., tangential Velocity
component of (Va2) = Va2 cos 2. Triangle
• Vf1 = velocity of flow at the entry of the moving blade i.e., axial component
of (Va1) = Va1 sin 1.
• Vf2 = velocity of flow at the exit of the moving blade i.e., axial component
of (Va2) = Va2 sin 2.
• Vr1 = relative velocity of Steam to moving blade at entrance.
• Vr2 = relative velocity of Steam to moving blade at exit.
• 1 = Angle, the absolute velocity at inlet makes with the plane of moving
blades (or nozzle angle or outlet angle of fixed blade).
• 2 = Angle, the absolute velocity at outlet makes with the plane of moving
blades (or nozzle angle or outlet angle of fixed blade). Outlet
• 1 = Blade angle at inlet.
Velocity
• 2 = Blade angle at outlet.
• ms = Mass of steam flowing over blades. Triangle
• d = Mean diameter or blade drum.
• h = Height of blade.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 18
 Velocity Diagram for Steam Turbine
• The work done on the blade is due to the force along
the direction of the movement.
• The change of whirl causes a force to act on the blades
in the directions of motion.
• The velocity of flow determines the mass of steam
through the blade rows.
• The axial thrust force is also caused by any change in
the flow velocity.
• The absolute velocity of the steam entering and leaving
the turbine decides the inlet and exit blade angles when
the turbine is running at a constant speed. Combined Inlet and Outlet Velocity Triangle for Impulse
Turbine on the same base (U)
• For blades with smooth surface, it is assumed that the friction loss is very small or zero.
• For the above assumption, the condition Vr1 = Vr2 is valid as no expansion takes place along the moving
blades.
• There is always a certain loss of velocity during the flow of steam over the blade and this loss is taken
into account by introducing a factor called blade velocity coefficient.
• It is already seen that the relative velocity of steam in the impulse turbine blade remains constant as the
steam glides or is reduced slightly due to friction.
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 19
 Velocity Diagram for Steam Turbine

Combined Inlet and Outlet Velocity Triangle for Reaction Turbine on the same base (U)
• In the reaction turbine blades, the steam expands as it flows over the moving blades.
• The effect of the continuous expansion of the steam during the flow over the blade is increase the
relative velocity of steam.
• For reaction turbine, Vr1 > Vr2
• For impulse turbine Vr1 <= Vr2
𝑈
• ρ (Speed ratio) =
Va1
Va2
• K (Blade velocity coefficient) =
Va1
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 20
 Work Done on Turbine Blades and Efficiency of Components
(A) Impulse Turbine
1. Work done per kg of steam = Force in the direction of blade motion × Distance travelled in the
direction of the force
= Rate of change of momentum × Distance travelled
= [𝑉𝑤2 − −𝑉𝑤1 ] × U
= (𝑉𝑤2 + 𝑉𝑤1 ) × U
= 𝑉𝑤 . U Nm/kg where 𝑉𝑤 = 𝑉𝑤1 + 𝑉𝑤2
The power developed by the turbine for a flow rate of ms kg of steam per second = ms (𝑉𝑤2 + 𝑉𝑤1 )U Watts
2. Diagram or Blading Efficiency
The blading or diagram efficiency of a single blade stage of an impulse turbine is given by
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚
ηb =
Energy supplied per kg of steam
(𝑉𝑤2 + 𝑉𝑤1 ) U
ηb = 1
Va12/2
2 (𝑉𝑤2 + 𝑉𝑤1 ) U
ηb =
Va12
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 21
 Work Done on Turbine Blades and Efficiency of Components
(A) Impulse Turbine
3. Gross or Stage Efficiency
The stage efficiency of the turbine is the ratio of the work done per kg of steam to the theoretical enthalpy
drop in the nozzle per kg of steam.
(V + Vw1 ) U
ηs = w2
(Δh)isentropic
The efficiency takes into account the losses in the nozzle also.
ηs = ηb × ηn
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒
where ηn = nozzle efficiency ηn =
Isentropic enthalpy drop during expansion
4. Axial Thrust
Any change in the axial component of the absolute velocity of steam is always undesirable as it produces
an axial thrust on the rotor. Therefore, provision must be made to use thrust bearings to take this load.
Fax = ms (𝑉𝑓1 − 𝑉𝑓2 ) N
(𝑉𝑟12 − 𝑉𝑟22)
5. Energy lost in the blade passage due to friction per kg of steam = Nm
2
𝑉𝑎22
6. Energy lost in exit per kg of steam = Nm
2
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 22
 Work Done on Turbine Blades and Efficiency of Components
(A) Impulse Turbine
cos α1
7. Condition for maximum efficiency, ρ =
2

(A) Reaction Turbine

The expansion of steam and the enthalpy drop occur both in fixed and moving blades.
1. The degree of reaction turbine stage is defined as the ratio of enthalpy drop over moving blades to the
total enthalpy drop in the stage.
Δh2
The degree of reaction turbine stage Rd =
Δh1 + Δh2
Note: All the equations from (1) to (6) given under impulse turbine are also valid for reaction turbine stage
except the equation for axial thrust.
• Axial thrust is also caused by the difference in the steam pressure between the two sides of the turbine
rotor in the case of reaction stage.

Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 23

 Work Done on Turbine Blades and Efficiency of Components
(A) Reaction Turbine
(𝑉𝑎12 − 𝑉𝑎22)
2. Enthalpy drop through the fixed blades per kg of steam =
2
(𝑉𝑟2 − 𝑉𝑟12)
2
3. Enthalpy drop along the moving blades per kg of steam =
2
𝑉𝑎1 + (𝑉𝑟2 − 𝑉𝑟12)
2 2
4. K.E supplied to moving blade per kg of steam =
2
5. If the friction of the blade surface is neglected
(𝑉𝑟22) (𝑉𝑟12)
= + Δh2
2 2
6. Axial thrust on the rotor per kg of steam
= (𝑉𝑓1 − 𝑉𝑓2) + (Pressure drop per moving ring of blades ×
area of the blade disc)
7. Condition for maximum efficiency, ρ = cos α1 (for Rd = 50%)
Note: For Parsons Reaction Turbine,
• Rd = 50%
• 1 = 2 and 2 = 1 (This gives symmetrical velocity diagram)
Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 24
 References
• Book:
• Thermal Engineering by R. K. Rajput
• Thermal Engineering by S. Domkundwar, C.P. Kothandaraman, Anand Domkundwar
• Websites:
• https://www.tlv.com/global/TI/steam-theory/principal-applications-for-steam.html
• https://www.mecholic.com/2018/12/advantages-of-steam-turbine.html

Prof. Cleta Pereira, Subject- PE, Mech Dept, DBIT 25