Introduction Introduction
Introduction
Modern Turbine Plant
Modern Turbine Plant
Introduction
Introduction
A steam turbine consists of casing in which high pressure
steam is directed through a series of blades attached to a
rotor.
The pressure of the steam is converted into velocity energy
and this velocity produces a force which turns the rotor at
high speed.
The high rotational speed of the turbine is reduced, via a
series of gears to produce a useful output.
Introduction
Introduction
A steam turbine, on its own, could be considered to be an
ideal form of heat engine, in that it:-
Converts thermal energy directly into torque and power
without vibration.
Can be operated -via a boiler- from all forms of thermal
energy.
Requires a very low level of maintenance.
The First Turbine The First Turbine
The First Turbine
The history of the turbine dates back to Greek times when
a man called Hero made a simple rotating steam engine.
Steam was supplied to a rotating ball fitted with two
angled discharge tubes.
The steam escaped under pressure thus producing a jet
force which rotated the ball at high speed
This is one principle on which the first steam turbine was
constructed and is known as the reaction principle.
The First Turbine
The First Turbine
The Impulse Turbine
The Impulse Turbine
A windmill demonstrates the other principle on which the
turbine is based.
Wind passes over a series of angled blades attached to a
wheel
The velocity of the wind acting against the blades causes
the wheel to turn.
This is known as the impulse principle.
The Impulse Turbine
The Impulse Turbine
Steam Turbines
Steam Turbines
Two main types of steam turbine have been developed
over the past 100 years or so, following the principles just
described i.e:-
The reaction turbine.
The impulse turbine.
Although steam turbines may be categorised as either
reaction or impulse, both types of turbine use a
combination of the principles of reaction and impulse.
Steam Turbines Steam Turbines
Steam Turbines
Steam Turbines
Steam Turbines
Steam turbines can be further subdivided into types:-
Parsons. Reaction
De Laval.. Impulse
Rateau. Impulse
Curtis.. Impulse
Of the above, the two types that are used today, often in
combination, are the Rateau and Curtis.
Steam Turbines
Steam Turbines
All turbines, of whatever type, consist of the following
basic components:-
A stationary pressure casing.
A rotor.
Nozzles, which convert the pressure energy of the steam
into velocity energy.
Formed blades, which control and use the velocity
energy of the steam in order to produce rotary power or
torque.
The Reaction Turbine
The Reaction Turbine
The reaction turbine is based on the
scientific law that action and reaction
are equal and opposite and was first
developed by Sir Charles Parsons.
If steam, under pressure, is passed
through a convergent nozzle, the
pressure energy of the steam will be
converted into velocity energy.
The steam escaping at high velocity
will produce a reactive force which will turn the rotor.
Turbinia Turbinia
Turbinia
Parsons Turbine
Parsons Turbine
Blade Configuration Blade Configuration
Blade Configuration
Moving blades
Stationary
blades
Nozzles formed
between pairs of
fixed and
moving blades
Steam flow
Reaction Blading Reaction
Reaction
Blading
Blading
As the steam passes through nozzles formed by the row of
fixed blades, some of the pressure energy is converted into
velocity energy. This is an increase in absolute velocity.
The steam at a high velocity is then directed into the
nozzles formed by the row of moving blades. This creates
an impulse effect as the steam impinges on the blades and
causes them to rotate.
Operation Operation
Operation
As the steam passes through the moving blades, some of
the remaining steam pressure is again converted into
velocity energy and it is this velocity that creates the
reactive force as the steam leaves the nozzle, thus again
propelling the blades.
Most of the velocity energy created in the moving blades
is absorbed in rotation of the blades, there will thus be a
drop in absolute velocity but an increase in relative
velocity.
Operation Operation
Operation
Operation Operation
Operation
P
1
V
1
P
2
V
2
P
3
V
3
I
m
p
u
l
s
e
R
e
a
c
t
i
o
n
Motion
The transformation of pressure to velocity energy is not
completed over one set of fixed and moving blades, this
would be impossible to achieve.
A reaction turbine consists of many pairs of fixed and
moving blades and this allows the energy transfer to take
place efficiently over several stages. This is known as
compounding.
The following slide shows the pressure/velocity
relationship over several of the many stages of a practical
reaction turbine.
Construction Construction
Construction
Pressure/Velocity Relationship Pressure/Velocity Relationship
Pressure/Velocity Relationship
End-Tightening End
End
-
-
Tightening
Tightening
Reaction turbines require very
close running clearances between
the blades, the casing and the rotor
in order to reduced steam leakage
losses and improve efficiency.
To reduce leakage, the turbine is
often fitted with end-tightened
blading.
End-
tightening
clearance
The close clearances produced by end-tightening can, in
turn, lead to problems of rubbing when the turbine is
heating and cooling.
To overcome these problems, the turbine is run up to
operating speed and temperature with a relatively large
clearance between the blades (1.5mm) and this is then
reduced to 0.1mm by moving the rotor axially while
running. This is known as linking-in the turbine.
The turbine is then linked-out when cooling down.
Linking-In Linking
Linking
-
-
In
In
Dummy Piston Dummy Piston
Dummy Piston
Another problem with the reaction turbine is one of end-
thrust. The pressure drop across the moving blades
produces a large axial thrust (P
1
>P
2
) which has to be
counteracted in order to keep the rotor in axial alignment.
This is done by use of a dummy piston.
P
2
P
1
P
2
Seal
Equalising pipe
Rotor
Dummy
piston
Steam reaction turbines are now no longer used because of
the constructional problems and loss of efficiency caused
by end-thrust pressures and blade leakages.
The length of the rotors also produced problems of
warming through to avoid distortion.
All steam turbines constructed and fitted today are impulse
turbines.
Summary Summary
Summary
Steam Turbine Steam Turbine
Steam Turbine
Impulse Turbines Impulse Turbines
Impulse Turbines
The impulse turbine uses the
windmill principle and is again
based on the scientific law that
action and reaction are equal
and opposite.
If steam, under pressure, is
passed through a fixed
convergent nozzle, the pressure
energy of the steam will again
be converted into velocity energy.
The steam, escaping at high velocity,
is directed at the blades of the turbine and will turn the rotor.
De Laval Turbine De Laval Turbine
De Laval Turbine
The De Laval turbine is the simplest of the impulse
turbines, with one set of nozzles and a single blade wheel.
The De Laval is the theoretically most efficient of all
impulse turbines.
To achieve maximum efficiency, however, the diameter of
the blade wheel and the speed at which it would have to
run would be nearly impossible to achieve.
De Laval Turbine De Laval Turbine
De Laval Turbine
Velocity Compounding Velocity Compounding
Velocity Compounding
In a velocity compounded or Curtis turbine, the
pressurised steam is first expanded through a single row of
fixed nozzles.
The nozzles exchange pressure energy for velocity energy
and the high velocity steam is directed to several rows of
fixed and moving blades where the impulse effect of the
steam causes the blades to rotate.
By allowing the velocity energy to be used over more that
one row of moving blades, most of the thermal efficiency
of the De Laval turbine is maintained but speed of rotation
and construction become more manageable.
Configuration Configuration
Configuration
P
1
V
1
P
2
V
2
P
2
V
4
First nozzle
row
First moving
blade row
First fixed
blade row
Second
moving blade
row
P
2
V
3
Note that the fixed row of blades acts only to change the
direction of the steam and has little effect on the velocity.
The following slide shows the pressure/velocity
relationship of the steam passage through the turbine.
Configuration Configuration
Configuration
Pressure/Velocity Relationship Pressure/Velocity Relationship
Pressure/Velocity Relationship
Construction Construction
Construction
The drawing shows a typical
configuration of a Curtis type
velocity compounded wheel.
Both sets of blades are mounted
on the wheel, which is keyed
onto the turbine drive shaft.
Construction Construction
Construction
The drawing shows a typical
configuration of a nozzle box
for a velocity compounded
turbine.
The nozzles are set up in
groups so that the amount
of steam passing into the
turbine can be controlled
and therefore the power
produced.
Throttling Throttling
Throttling
Nozzle control of steam flow into turbines has efficiency
advantages over controlling the steam by means of a
valve.
If the steam flow is controlled by a valve then throttling
will occur through the valve and energy will be lost.
By using nozzle control the throttling energy losses can be
significantly reduced.
Velocity compounded Curtis turbines are used as the first
stage of large turbines used for power generation and
propulsion. Also as reversing turbines (astern turbines)
They are also used where large amounts of torque are
required from a small compact unit, such as turbine driven
feed water pumps and cargo pumps.
Useage Useage
Useage
Advantages of velocity compounding include:-
Large pressure drop through nozzle which reduces
pressure stresses and makes it easier to keep shaft
glands tight.
Reduction in turbine length.
Cheaper to construct.
Advantages Advantages
Advantages
Disadvantages of velocity compounding include:-
Lower efficiency.
Increased steam consumption.
Disadvantages Disadvantages
Disadvantages
Velocity Compounded Pump Velocity Compounded Pump
Velocity Compounded Pump
Steam inlet
Exhaust steam
outlet
Bearing
Gland seals
Bearing
Shaft
Pump
impeller
Pressure Compounding Pressure Compounding
Pressure Compounding
In a pressure compounded or Rateau turbine, the
pressurised steam is first expanded through a single row of
fixed nozzles.
The nozzles exchange pressure energy for velocity energy
and the high velocity steam is directed to the first row of
moving blades where the impulse effect of the steam
causes the blades to rotate.
The steam then passes to a second row of nozzles, where a
further drop in pressure and increase in velocity occurs,
which is directed over a second row of moving blades.
Configuration Configuration
Configuration
P
1
V
1
P
2
V
2
P
2
V
3
P
3
V
4
P
3
V
5
First nozzle
row
First blade
row
Second
nozzle row
Second blade
row
Pressure/Velocity Relationship Pressure/Velocity Relationship
Pressure/Velocity Relationship
Pressure compounding is found in large turbines used for
power generation and propulsion where efficiency is
important. As many as 10 - 20 pressure compounded
stages may be incorporated in a high power main
propulsion turbine.
Useage Useage
Useage
Advantages of pressure compounding include:-
Steam velocities are lower, therefore blading velocity
and speed of rotation is lower leading to reduced
centrifugal force
Increased efficiency due to the multi stage
configuration.
Advantages Advantages
Advantages
Disadvantages of pressure compounding include:-
Increased construction costs.
Increased length of turbine.
Disadvantages Disadvantages
Disadvantages
Pressure/Velocity Compounding Pressure/Velocity Compounding
Pressure/Velocity Compounding
In order to strike a balance between cost of construction,
size and efficiency, all turbines produced for main
propulsion and power generation are designed using
pressure and velocity compounding.
A typical configuration would be an initial two or three
blade velocity compounded stage followed by up to 20
pressure compounded stages.
Pressure/Velocity H.P.Rotor Pressure/Velocity H.P.Rotor
Pressure/Velocity H.P.Rotor
Velocity
compounded
stage
Pressure
compounded
stage
Alternator Turbine Alternator Turbine
Alternator Turbine
Alternator Turbine Alternator Turbine
Alternator Turbine
The output from the turbine is taken through a gearbox to
the alternator.
The gearbox reduces the high speed of the turbine
(typically 7,000 - 10,000 r.p.m.) down to an acceptable
speed for the alternator (typically 1800 rpm.)
This arrangement allows both the turbine and the
alternator to run at their most efficient and optimum
design speeds.
Main Propulsion Turbine Main Propulsion Turbine
Main Propulsion Turbine
Main Propulsion Turbine Main Propulsion Turbine
Main Propulsion Turbine
Main Propulsion Turbine Main Propulsion Turbine
Main Propulsion Turbine
Modern main propulsion turbines are two stage pressure
velocity compounded and consist of a high pressure (H.P.)
turbine and a low pressure (L.P.) turbine cross
compounded as shown in the next slide.
By configuring the H.P. & L.P. turbines in this way, the
overall length of the plant is reduced thus making it easier
to install.
Because turbines are uni-directional, a separate astern
turbine is installed within the L.P. turbine casing, allowing
the vessel to be manoeuvred.
Typical Propulsion Lay-out Typical Propulsion Lay
Typical Propulsion Lay
-
-
out
out
Stal
Stal
-
-
Laval
Laval
H.P.Turbine
H.P.Turbine
Lay
Lay
-
-
out
out
The H.P. turbine consists of a Single stage velocity compounded
Curtis wheel followed by 9 pressure compounded stages.
Stal
Stal
-
-
Laval
Laval
L.P.Turbine
L.P.Turbine
Lay
Lay
-
-
out
out
The L.P. ahead turbine consists of 8 pressure compounded stages.
The astern turbine is mounted on the same shaft as the L.P.
turbine and is composed of 2 by 2 stage velocity compounded
Curtis wheels.
