Course: Applied Thermal Engineering(MEC239)

Major Topic: Introduction to Steam Turbines

Sub Topics:
Steam Turbines
Classification of Steam turbines

Prepared By: Sudhanshu Dogra

Assistant Professor/COD(Thermal Engineering)
UID: 16900
School of Mechanical Engineering
Lovely Professional University
 Turbine Technology

The purpose of turbine technology is to extract the

maximum quantity of energy from the working fluid, to
convert it into useful work with the maximum efficiency.
Energy Transformation: Pressure energy of steam is
converted in to kinetic energy (high velocity), when the
steam flows in the nozzle or in a passage.
Energy Transfer: The high velocity particles of steam
impinge on the moving part of the turbine and here suffer a
change in direction of motion and this gives rise to change
in momentum and, therefore, a force.
 Principle of Operation

According to Newton’s Second law of motion, the force is perpendicular to the rate of change of
momentum (mass x velocity).

The higher KE of steam results in the emission of a high velocity jet of steam, which impinging on the
moving blade attached on a rotor which is mounted on a shaft supported on the bearings.

Steam undergoes a change in direction of motion due to curvature of blades which gives rise to a change
in momentum and therefore a force, which is driving force of the turbine.
 Classification of Steam Turbines
On the basis of Principle of operation
Impulse turbine
 Simple
 Velocity stage
 Pressure stage
 Combination of velocity and pressure stage
Impulse-Reaction turbine
 50% reaction
 Combination of impulse and reaction
Impulse Turbine

Figure: Govanni de Branca’s Turbine

Impulse Turbine
 This type of turbine is called a simple impulse turbine because the expansion of steam takes place only in one set of
nozzles.
 The pressure of steam falls from that in the steam nozzle to that existing in the condenser, whereas the steam flows
through it.
 Hence, the pressure in the wheel chamber is practically equal to the condenser pressure.
 The high-velocity jet coming out from the nozzle impinges on the blades, so that the whole kinetic energy is
converted into mechanical energy.
 In practice, this type of turbine is used for small power ratings.
 The rotor diameter is kept small and consequently, the rotational speed becomes very high.
 This is known as De-Laval turbine.
Impulse Turbine
Reaction Turbine
 In a reaction turbine, there are guide blades instead of nozzles which convert the pressure energy into
kinetic energy. The steam passing over the moving blades has the difference of pressure at the inlet tip
and exit tip; hence, there is a drop of pressure in steam while passing over the moving blades.
 The fixed blade serves the purpose of nozzles which changes the direction of steam and at the same time,
allows it to expand to a higher velocity.
 The pressure of steam falls as it passes over the moving blades.
 The diameter of each stage of a reaction turbine must increase after each group of blade rings in order to
accommodate the increased volume of steam at lower pressure.
Reaction Turbine
Impulse reaction turbine

If the pressure of steam at outlet from the moving blades of the turbine is less than that at the
inlet side of the blades, the drop in pressure suffered by steam during its flow through the moving
blades causes a further generation of kinetic energy within the blades and adds to the preparing
force which is applied to the turbine shaft; such a turbine is called impulse-reaction turbine.

In this type of turbine, there is application of both principles, namely, impulse and reaction.

There are several rows of moving blades fixed to the shaft and equal number of fixed blades
attached to the casing.

The fixed blades correspond to the nozzles of an impulse turbine.

 Contd…
Steam is admitted for the entire circumference and therefore, there is all-round admission.

In passing through the first set of fixed blades, the steam undergoes a small pressure drop and the velocity is
increased.
It enters the first set of moving blades and suffers the change of direction and therefore momentum. This gives an
impulse to the blades.
However, here, the passage to the blades is so designed that there is also a small drop in pressure

in the moving blades, giving rise to an increase in kinetic energy.

This drop in pressure gives rise to reactions in the direction opposite to that of added velocity.

Thus, the driving force is the vector sum of impulse and reaction turbines. Normally, the turbine is known as
reaction turbine.
This is also called Parson’s reaction turbine.
Impulse reaction turbine
Difference between Impulse and Reaction turbine
On the basis of Direction of flow

Axial flow: In axial flow turbine, the steam flows along the axis of
the shaft. It is the most suitable turbine for large turbo-generators
and that is why it is used in all modem steam power plants.

Radial flow: In this turbine, the steam flows in the radial direction.
Since this type of turbine can be warmed and started quickly, so it is
very suitable for use at times of peak load. This type of turbine is
very successful in the smaller sizes.
On the basis of Arrangement of Cylinder Based on General Flow of Steam
Single Flow
In a single flow turbine the steam enters at one end, flows once through the bladings in a direction
approximately parallel to this axis, emerges at the other end
Double Flow
In this type of turbines, the steam enters at the centre and divides, the two portions passing axially away
from other through separate sets of blading on the same rotor.
Reversed Flow
Reversed flow arrangement is sometimes used in h.p, cylinder where higher temperature steam is used on
the larger sets in order to minimize differential expansion.
THANKS