BITS Pilani

STEAM TURBINES
Introduction

Converts enthalpy and kinetic energy of steam to work

Classification
1)
- Impulse type
- Reaction type

2)
- Condensing type – exhausts to a condenser – steam recovered
- Non-condensing type – exit pressure higher than atmospheric
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Impulse steam turbine

Entire enthalpy drop happens in the nozzle. – No pressure change in rotor

- Supersonic velocity (~1100 m/s) - high rotational speeds (~30000 rpm)

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Compounding of impulse
turbines

Curtis turbine Rateau turbine

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Pressure – velocity
compounding

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Impulse Turbine

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Power output

Tangential force on the blade = ṁ (Vw1 – Vw2)

= ṁ (Vw1 + Vw2) (since directions are
opposite)
= ṁ Vw where Vw = Vw1 +Vw2

Power developed = force X velocity

= ṁ VwU

Blade efficiency / Utilization factor / Diagram efficiency

ηb = work done
K.E supplied

ṁ VwU 2VwU
ηb = =
1
2
.m.𝑉 1
2 𝑉 12

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Maximum blade efficiency

We have, Vw = Vr1cosβ1 + Vr2cosβ2

= (V1cosα1 – U) (1 + kc)

Where friction coefficient, k = Vr2/Vr1 and c = cosβ2/cosβ1

Therefore,
2𝑈 𝑈
η𝑏 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠α1 − 1 + 𝑘𝑐
𝑉1 𝑉1

Blade speed ratio ρ = U/V1

For maximum blade efficiency
𝑑η𝑏
=0
𝑑ρ

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Maximum blade efficiency
(contd)
cos α1
ρ𝑜𝑝𝑡 =
2

Therefore the maximum value of blade efficiency is

cos2 α1
η𝑏 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (1 + 𝑘𝑐)
2

For equiangular blades,

cos2 α1
η𝑏 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (1 + 𝑘)
2

Gross stage efficiency = work done per stage = U.Vw/(Δh)isen

specific enthalpy drop per stage

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Numerical problem

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Numerical problem

2) In one stage of an impulse turbine, the velocity of steam at the exit from
the nozzle is 460 m/s, the nozzle angle is 22 degrees, and the blade angle
is 33degrees. Find the blade speed so that the steam shall pass on without
shock. Also find the diagram efficiency and the end thrust on the shaft,
assuming velocity coefficient = 0.75, and blades are symmetrical.

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Reaction turbine

All modern steam plants use reaction turbine where pressure drop occurs in
both nozzles (stators) and the rotors.

Degree of reaction (DOR)

= static enthalpy drop in rotor

static enthalpy drop in stage

ℎ1 − ℎ2
=
ℎ0 − ℎ1

50% reaction turbine – Parsons turbine

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Velocity diagram

For Parson’s turbine

Symmetrical blading

α1 = β2 and α2 = β1

Also,

V1 = Vr2 and V2 = Vr1

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 Energy input / K.E supplied
Energy input to the blades ‘E’ = change in enthalpy ‘Δh’ = kinetic energy
supplied in the fixed blades + kinetic energy supplied in the moving blades

The effect of expansion of steam over the moving blades is to increase the
relative velocity at the exit. Therefore, the relative velocity at the exit Vr2 is
always greater than the relative velocity at the inlet Vr1
𝑉12 − 𝑉02
Δℎ𝑓 =
2
And

𝑉𝑟22 − 𝑉𝑟12 𝑉12 − 𝑉22

Δℎ𝑚 = =
2 2
Therefore,

𝑉12 𝑉12 − 𝑉22

Δℎ = +
2 2

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Work done

Therefore
𝑉 2
𝑟1
𝐸 = Δℎ = 𝑉12 −
2
Since,

We have,

Work done per unit mass

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Blade efficiency

Blade efficiency
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒
η𝑏 =
𝐾. 𝐸 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑

Let U/V1 = ρ (blade speed ratio)

2ρ(2𝑐𝑜𝑠α1 − ρ)
η𝑏 =
1 − ρ2 + 2ρ𝑐𝑜𝑠α1

For η𝑏 = (η𝑏)max,
𝑑η𝑏
=0
𝑑ρ

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Maximum blade efficiency

On solving, we get,

𝑈 2𝑐𝑜𝑠2α1
ρ𝑜𝑝𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑡 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠α1 ; η𝑏 𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
= 𝑉1 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2α1

Velocity diagram for maximum efficiency

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Comparison of blade
efficiencies

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Reheat factor

𝑊𝑎 actual enthalpy drop (1−2)

η𝑜 = =
𝑊 isentropic enthalpy drop (1−2’)

cumulative isentropic enthalpy drop

Reheat factor (R.F) =
overall Isentropic enthalpy drop

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Mean stage efficiency

Mean stage efficiency

actual enthalpy drop

=
cumulative isentropic enthalpy drop

Therefore,
ηo = ηs X RF

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Numerical problems

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Numerical problems

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