PRIME MOVERS

• A Prime mover is a self moving device which

converts the available natural source of
energy into mechanical energy of motion to
drive the other machines.
• The various types of prime movers which
convert heat energy produced by the
combustion of fuels into mechanical energy
are steam engines, steam turbines, gas
turbines, internal combustion engines.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 STEAM TURBINES
Steam turbine : it is defined as a prime
mover in which heat energy of the steam is
transformed into mechanical energy directly
in the form of rotary motion.
The basic principle of operation of steam
turbine involves the generation of high
pressure steam jet by combustion of fuels
and letting the high pressure and
temperature steam to expand in a nozzle to
convert its kinetic energy into mechanical
work on rotor blades.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
Steam turbine is mainly used as an ideal
prime mover to drive the electric generators
to generate the electric power in thermal
power plants. It is also used in ship
propellers, pumps, compressors ,textile &
sugar industry machinery, etc.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Classification of turbines:
Steam turbines are mainly classified into two
groups.
• Impulse steam turbine
• Reaction steam turbine
• In an impulse turbine the steam expands in the
nozzles and its pressure does not alter as it
moves over the blades.
• whereas in a reaction turbine, the steam
expands continuously as it passes over the
blades and thus, there is a gradual fall in the
pressure during expansion.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Impulse steam turbine:
• In impulse turbines, the steam is expanded from
its initial high pressure to a lower pressure
before it is delivered to the moving blades on
the rotor.
• The pressure of the steam over the blades will
be low and the velocity of the steam
continuously decreases as it glides over the
blades where in the kinetic energy of the steam
gets converted into mechanical energy of
rotation.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Entry Exit
Throat

High Pressure Low Pressure

Low Velocity High Velocity
Steam jet of Steam

Expansion in Nozzle

A high velocity jet of steam is produced by expanding a high

pressure steam in a convergent –divergent nozzle as shown
in fig. Steam at high pressure and low velocity enters the
nozzle and as it passes between the entry and throat, it
expands to a low pressure & high velocity and comes out
through the divergent portion.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Resultant of all
Centrifugal forces

Curved Vane
Or Blade

High Velocity Low Velocity

jet of Steam jet of Steam

Propelling force on Impulse Turbine

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

Impulse
P R Venkatesh,Turbine
Mech Dept, RVCE, Rotor
B'lore
 Impulse-Momentum principle
• The high velocity jet of steam coming out of
the nozzle is made to glide over a curved vane
(blade) which makes the jet to get deflected
very nearly in the circumferential direction.
• This causes the steam jet to undergo a change
in direction which gives rise to change in
momentum and hence a force which will be
centrifugal in nature.
• The centrifugal force causes the rotor which
has the blades on its periphery.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Impulse Steam Turbine

Direction of
rotation

Moving
Blades
Nozzle

Steam A

Pressure C
at Entrance B Condenser
Pressure

Q
R
Exit
Velocity of P
Velocity
steam entering
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Impulse steam turbine
The fig shows the diagrammatic representation of an impulse
turbine.
The lower portion shows the nozzle and the blade & the top
portion shows the corresponding variation of pressure and
velocity of the steam as it flows through the nozzle and over
the blades.
Since, the expansion of the steam takes place in the nozzle, the
pressure drop is represented by the curve AB , the
corresponding rise in velocity in the nozzle is represented by
the curve PQ.
As there is no change in the pressure of steam that is passing
over the blade, this flow is represented by the horizontal line
BC.
As the blades absorb the kinetic energy of the steam as it flows
over it, the velocity decreases. This is represented by the
curve QR.
The principal example of this turbine is De-Laval turbine.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Reaction steam turbine
• In this type of turbine, the high pressure steam
does not initially expand in the nozzle as in case
of impulse turbine, but instead directly passes
on the moving blades whose shapes are
designed in such a way that the steam flowing
between the blades will be subjected to the
nozzle effect.
• Hence, the pressure of the steam drops
continuously as it flows over the blades causing
simultaneous increase in the velocity of the
steam.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Reaction steam turbine
• It is also called as impulse-reaction turbine. It
consists of a number of rows of moving blades
fitted on the different rotors keyed to the turbine
shaft with alternate rings of fixed blades rigidly fixed
to the casing of the turbine.
• Both the fixed and moving blades are designed in
the shape of the nozzles.
• Therefore, the expansion of the steam takes place
both in the fixed and moving blades.
• The fixed blade ring between the two moving blade
rotors enables to deflect and glide the steam to
enter from one row of moving blades to the next
row.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Moving Moving
blades blades

Fixed
blades

Fixed
blades

Pressure

Pressure
at Entrance

Condenser
Pressure
Velocity

Velocity of Exit
Steam Velocity
entering

REACTION TURBINE
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
• The high pressure steam passing in the first row
of fixed blades undergoes a small drop in
pressure causing the increase in the velocity of
the steam.
• It then enters the first row of moving blades
where it suffers further drop in pressure and the
velocity energy is converted into the mechanical
energy of rotation of the rotor.
• Thus, the velocity of the steam decreases. This
continues in the further rows of moving and fixed
blades till the pressure of the steam is almost
completely reduced.
• The changes in the pressure and velocity of the
steam as it flows over the moving and fixed
blades are as shown in the fig.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
Reaction Steam Turbine

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Comparison between Impulse and Reaction Steam turbines
Impulse Steam Turbine Reaction Steam turbines
The steam completely expands from a high pressure The high pressure steam continuously expands
to a low pressure in the nozzle before it enters on the successively in both the fixed & moving
moving blades. blades.
Turbine blades have symmetrical profile. Turbine blades have aerofoil profile.
The pressure on both ends of the moving blade is The pressure on two ends of the moving blades
same. are different
Since there is a large drop in pressure in the Due to smaller pressure drop over both fixed and
nozzle, the steam speed as well as the rotor speed moving blades, both the steam speed and rotor
are high. speed are relatively low.
Because of the larger pressure drop in the nozzle and Because of smaller pressure drops in every stage
less no. of stages, size of the impulse turbine for the and more no. of stages, the size of the reaction
same power output is comparatively small. turbine for the same power output is large.
occupies less space per unit power. Occupies more space per unit power.
Suitable for medium and high power generation
Suitable for small power generation prime movers prime movers.
Since, the speeds are relatively less, the
Due to high rotor speed, the compounding is required compounding is not required.
to reduce the speed

Ex: De Laval Turbine Ex: Parson’s Turbine

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
COMPOUNDING OF STEAM TURBINES
• This is done to reduce the rotational speed of the
impulse turbine to practical limits.
(A rotor speed of 30,000 rpm is possible, which is
pretty high for practical uses.)
• Compounding is achieved by using more than one set
of nozzles, blades, rotors, in a series, keyed to a
common shaft; so that either the steam pressure or the
jet velocity is absorbed by the turbine in stages.
• Three main types of compounded impulse turbines
are:
a) Pressure compounded
b) velocity compounded and
c) pressure and velocity compounded impulse turbines.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Pressure-compounded Stage

This involves splitting up of the whole pressure drop

from the steam chest pressure to the condenser
pressure into a series of smaller pressure drops
across several stages of impulse turbine.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

Pressure-compounded Stage

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Velocity-compounded Stage

Velocity drop is arranged in many small drops

through many moving rows of blades instead of a
single row of moving blades.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

Velocity-compounded Stage

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

Pressure-velocity Compounded Turbine
This is a combination of pressure-velocity compounding

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 HYDRAULIC TURBINES
A hydraulic machine that converts the
hydraulic energy into mechanical energy is
called a turbine, while the machine that
converts the mechanical energy into hydraulic
energy is called a pump.
A water turbine is a rotary device that takes
energy from moving water.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Classification of hydraulic turbines
The classifications of water turbines are as follows:

According to the type of energy inlet:

Impulse or velocity turbine.
Reaction or pressure turbine.

According to the direction of flow of water through runner:

Tangential flow turbine
Radial flow turbine
Axial flow turbine
Mixed flow turbine

According to the available water head at inlet:

High head turbine
Medium head turbine and
Low head turbine P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Impulse Water turbine
• In impulse turbine, the water’s potential energy
is converted to kinetic energy by nozzle and the
jet of water is directed on the turbine’s curved
blades which reverse the flow.
• The resulting impulse spins the turbine and
leaves the fluid flow with diminished kinetic
energy.
• Newton’s second law describes the transfer of
energy for impulse turbine. No pressure change
occurs at the turbine blades.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Pelton wheel
• Pelton wheel is a tangential flow impulse turbine,
water flows along the tangent to the path of the
runner.
• It operates under a high head of water and
therefore requires a comparatively less quantity of
water.
• Water is conveyed from the reservoir to the turbine
through a penstock. The penstock is connected to a
branch pipe fitted with a nozzle. A powerful jet
issue out of the nozzle, impinges on the buckets
provided on the periphery of a wheel.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

PELTON WHEEL

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Penstock
Braking jet

Hand wheel
Bucket
Stopper
Runner

Casing
Support
Spear Nozzle
Spear rod
Tail race

Single Jet Pelton Wheel

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

• The shape of the bucket is that of a double
hemispherical cup having dividing wall known as
splitter at the center. The splitter divides the
impinging jet into two halves, which are deflected
backward.
• As there is no pressure variation in flow , the fluid
partly fills the buckets, and it remains in contact
with the atmosphere. The nozzle is provided with a
spear mechanism to control the quantity of water.
• The actual energy transfer from jet to wheel is by
changing the momentum of the stream. The water
after imparting its energy to the turbine is
discharged into tail-race.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
Advantages of Pelton wheel
• Simple in construction
• Easy maintenance
Disadvantage of Pelton wheel
• A lot of head loss occurs when the river
discharge is low.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Reaction turbine
• Reaction turbines are acted on by water, which
changes pressure as it moves through the
turbine and gives up its energy.
• They must be enclosed in an air tight casing to
contain the water pressure or they must be
fully submerged in the water pressure or they
must be fully submerged in the water flow.
• Newton’s third law describes the transfer of
energy for reaction turbines.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 The turbine is located between the high
pressure water source and the low pressure
water exit, usually at the base of the dam.
Most water turbine in use are reaction
turbine. They are used in low and medium
head applications, Francis turbine and Kaplan
turbine are the examples of reaction turbine.

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Water Inlet
FRANCIS TURBINE
(Front View)
Guide wheel

Guide blade

Spiral Casing

Runner blade

Draft tube
Water discharging
into tail race
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Francis turbine
• Francis turbine is a medium head inward
flow reaction turbine.
• It consists of a spiral casing in enclosing a
number of stationary guide vanes fixed all
round the circumference of the runner which
carries moving vanes moving vanes.
• Water at high pressure enters through the
inlet and flows radially inwards through guide
blades.
• The function of these guide vanes is to direct
the fluid on to the runner at the required
angle. P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
During its flow over the moving
blades, the water imparts kinetic
energy to the runner causing it to
spin.
To enable the discharge of water at
lower pressure, a diverging conical
tube called draft tube is fitted at the
center of the runner.
The other end of the draft tube is
immersed in the discharging side of
the turbine called ‘tail race’
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
FRANCIS TURBINE

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 FRANCIS
TURBINE

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

FRANCIS TURBINE
ANIMATION

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Kaplan turbine
• It is an axial flow turbine is used for low heads at
high rotational speeds and large rates of flow.
• Kaplan turbine is an axial flow reaction turbine
having small number of blades usually from four
to six and closely resembles a ship’s propeller.
• Water at high pressure enters the turbine casing
through the inlet, flows over the guide vanes &
then strikes the runner blades axially.
• The kinetic energy imparted to the runner blades
set it into rotation.
• The water leaves at the center of the runner
through a L shaped draft tube and is discharged
into the tail race.
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore
 Water Inlet
KAPLAN TURBINE
(Top View) Guide wheel

Guide blade

Spiral Casing

Runner blade

Water discharging
into tail race
Draft tube

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

KAPLAN TURBINE

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

KAPLAN TURBINE

P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept, RVCE, B'lore

 Comparison between Impulse and Reaction Water turbines
Impulse Water Turbine Reaction Water turbines

There is no pressure change of The pressure of the water changes

the fluid in the turbine rotor as it passes through the turbine
blades. rotor blades
Impulse turbines do not require a A pressure casement is needed to
pressure casement around the contain the working fluid as it acts
runner on the turbine
Draft tube is not necessary Draft tube is necessary to
discharge the water into tail race.

Newton’ s second law describes Newton’s third law describes the

the transfer of energy transfer of energy

Ex: Pelton Turbine Ex: Francis Turbine

P R Venkatesh, MechKaplan Turbine
Dept, RVCE, B'lore