Steam Turbines

Steam Turbines

Basic Turbine Theory

Energy Conversion in the Turbine
Conversion in Nozzles
Conversion in Blades
Basic Turbine Types
Turbine Centerline Construction
Main and Auxiliary Steam Valves

Steam Chests
Main Stop/Throttle Valves
Control/Governor Valves
Auxiliary Valves

Steam/Gland Seal System

Basic Turbine Theory

Steam turbines take many

forms, but all steam
turbines have two basic
components that provide
the turbine with the
capability of energy
conversion.
The turbine consists of
nozzles and blades that
allow the steam to
expand and be converted
to mechanical energy by
doing work on the moving
blades of the turbine.

nozzles

Steam from a nozzle or

nozzles is directed
continuously against the
blades, causing rotation.
The expansion of the
steam in passing through
the nozzle converts the
steam's heat energy into
the energy of motion or
high velocity. The steam
velocity is expended on
the moving blades.

nozzle

nozzle

The combination of
the nozzle and set of
moving blades in this
simple turbine is
considered to be a
single stage.
Single stage turbines
have specialized
uses, but it should be
recognized that the
exhaust steam still
has a considerable
amount of energy.

nozzle

The following figure

shows a turbine that
consists of three
stages. Three sets of
movable blades are
shown mounted on a
common shaft.
Steam from the nozzles
impinges against the
blades, causing the
entire rotor assembly
to rotate.

nozzle

Multi-stage turbine

Energy Conversion in
the Turbine

Two major energy

transformations are
involved in the turbine
process by which thermal
energy is converted to
work:
1. The first
transformation is a
thermodynamic process
by which the thermal
energy of the steam is
transformed into kinetic
energy. This gives the
steam a high velocity and
a great deal of
momentum.

-1

2. The second
transformation is a
mechanical
process by which
the steam
physically impinges
upon the blades,
imparting
momentum to
them and causing
the turbine to
rotate.

-2

Conversion in Nozzles

Convergent nozzle

The basic purpose of a

steam nozzle is to convert
the thermal energy of the
steam into kinetic energy
by expanding the steam.
This is accomplished by
shaping the nozzle in
such a way to cause an
increase in the velocity of
the steam as it expands
from a high pressure area
to a low pressure area.
The nozzle also acts to
direct the steam properly
on the blades.

nozzle



nozzle

nozzle

Conversion in Blades

Kinetic energy of the steam

leaving the turbine nozzle is
converted into mechanical
energy by directing the
steam jet against the blades
mounted on a rotor.
It can also be converted by
the reaction of the steam jet
itself.
As high velocity steam
leaves the nozzle, it exerts a
force known as an impulse
force.
This impulse force is equal
to and opposite in direction
from the reactive force.

nozzle

The third law of motion is

thus satisfied, which states
"for every force acting in a
given direction, there must
be an equal force acting in
the opposite direction."
The two forces, impulse
and reactive, provide the
motive force for the two
basic types of turbines.
The impulse and reaction
turbines both use nozzles
and blades, but in entirely
different ways.

nozzle

Basic Turbine Types


Classification According to Steam
Pressure

1000 3500

501000

50

When classified by
operating pressure,
steam turbines may be
high pressure,
intermediate pressure,
and low pressure.
Machines designed for
operating pressures of
1,000 psig to 3,500 psig
are high pressure.
Intermediate pressures
fall within the range of
1,000 to 50 psig, and
Low pressure is 50 psig
and less.


According to Physical
Arrangement

When classified by
physical arrangement,
turbines are either
tandem or cross
compound.
A tandem compound
turbine, shown in
Figure is one in which
a number of turbines
are coupled together
to form one
continuous shaft.

tandem or
.cross compound
tandem
.compound

Tandem compound
turbine

According to Condensing /NonCondensing

In non-condensing
turbines, the steam is
exhausted before
being fully expanded.
The exhaust may be
used to supply steam
to a condensing
turbine or for process
heating.
A non-condensing
turbine is sometimes
referred to as a
backpressure turbine

)
(

backpressure

According to Condensing /NonCondensing

Condensing turbines can

be further classified by
their exhaust flow.
A single flow condensing
turbine passes all of its
exhaust steam to the
condenser through one
exhaust opening.
However, the low
pressure sections of a
large compound turbine
become so large that they
must be split up into more
than one section because
of design limitations.

According to Condensing /NonCondensing

When two low pressure

sections are required,
they are placed on the
same shaft, with the
steam flow in opposite
directions.
Such an arrangement is
called a two-low section,
and since the exhaust
flow is divided in two, it
would be a two-flow unit.
Turbines with as many as
six flows have been built.

Extraction and Nonextraction

Classification

Turbines can be classified

as extraction or nonextraction.
Extraction turbines are
sometimes called "bleed"
turbines.
An extraction turbine is a
multistage turbine where
some of the steam is
exhausted, or bled,
between turbine stages.
This extraction steam may
be used for feedwater
heating or other purposes.

Turbine Centerline
Construction

Exploded view of
turbine

Main and Auxiliary

Steam Valves

Steam Chests

Typical steam chest,

control nozzle block
arrangement

Main Stop/Throttle
Valves

Typical main steam

stop valve

Control/Governor
Valves

MHC

EHC

Auxiliary Valves

Intercept valve

Steam/Gland Seal
System

Labyrinth Seal System

Water-sealed glands and labyrinth seals as used( a)

on the high-pressure end of condensing turbines.
)b( Labyrinth-type gland as used on non.condensing turbines

High pressure seal

arrangement