Mechanical Engineering Department

Steam Turbines
Assist. Prof. Dr. Moayed Rzoki
 Lectures: Steam Turbine
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Dr. Moayed

Mechanical Engineering Department

Steam Turbines

1. General Principles
A steam turbine is a machine which converts part of heat energy in the steam in to mechanical
work. Steam turbine essentially consists of the following two parts:
The nozzle: In which the steam expands from high pressure and state of comparatively rapid
motion.
The moving blades: In which the momentum of the stream of steam particles change.
The nozzles are attached to the stationary part of the turbine, which is usually termed the
stator (casing). Where as the moving blades are attached to the rotating element of the
machine(rotor).
2. Types of steam turbines:
Steam turbines can classified according
to the method of expansion in to
1. Impulse turbine
2. Impulse-reaction turbine (reaction)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Turbines_impulse_v_reactio
n.png/350px-Turbines_impulse_v_reaction.png
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Dr. Moayed

Mechanical Engineering Department

1. Impulse Turbine: The steam is caused to fall in pressure in nozzles, due to this fall in
pressure a certain amount of heat energy is converted into mechanical kinetic energy, and
the steam is set moving with a greater velocity. The rapidly moving particles of steam enter
the moving part of the turbine (moving blades) and hence suffer change in direction of
motion occurs which gives rise to change of momentum and therefore to force known as
impulse force, which causes the rotation of turbine shaft. In this type of turbine all
pressure drop occurs in nozzles and no pressure drop occurs in moving blades.

2. Impulse-reaction (reaction)
In such turbine expansion of steam (pressure drop) takes place while it passes through the
moving blades as well as through the nozzles. The pressure drop suffered by the steam
during its flow through the moving blades causes a further generation of K.E. within the
blade and adds to the propelling force which is applied to the turbine shaft. In this type
part of pressure drop occurs in nozzle and another part occurs in moving blades.
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Mechanical Engineering Department

Impulse Turbine
A. Simple Impulse Turbine (De-Laval):
Such a turbine has one set of nozzles which is follow by
one set of moving blades. Nozzles are set at suitable
angle to the side of blades. The high pressure steam is
first passed through the set of nozzles where it expands
from its high pressure to a low pressure and thereby
acquires a high velocity. This high velocity steam is next
directed on to the blades and hence due to the change
of direction there is a change in momentum, then a
force is applied to the blades which causes the turbine
wheel and the shaft to rotate.

Figure 1
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zcRfYv-
KhII/maxresdefault.jpg
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/unit-
4steamturbine-160705174835/95/steam-turbine-
and-its-types-18-638.jpg?cb=1467740953
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Dr. Moayed

Mechanical Engineering Department

Simple impulse turbine is show diagrammatically in Figure 1, the top portion of the figure
shows a longitudinal section through the upper half of turbine, the middle portion shows a
development of the nozzles and blades while the lower part of the diagram shows
approximately how the absolute pressure and the absolute velocity of steam vary from point
to point during the passage of the steam through the turbine.
The simple turbine described above is called De-Laval turbine and it is also known as single-
stage impulse turbine. This turbine is not in common use due to the following disadvantages:
1. Since all pressure drop occurs in one set of nozzles and all K.E. absorbs in only one ring of
moving blades turbine rotation is to high about 30 000 rpm.
2. Steam velocity at exit is quite high which means that there is a considerable loss of K.E.

B. Compounding of Impulse Turbine:

Disadvantages of simple impulse turbine can be overcome by arrangement the expansion of
steam or utilization of its K.E. or both in several rings of blades (rather than one ring only) this
process is known as Compounding.
Methods of compounding impulse turbine are:
1. Pressure Compounding.
2. Velocity Compounding.
Pressure-Velocity Compounding.
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Mechanical Engineering Department

1. Pressure-Compound Impulse Turbine:

In this turbine the compounding is done by arranging

the expansion of steam in a number of steps, each step
is a simple impulse turbine consists of one set of nozzles
and one raw of blades and is known as stage of the
turbine. The exhaust steam from each raw of moving
blades enters the succeeding set of nozzles. The
expansion of steam takes place only in the nozzles. The
moving blades in rotor change the direction of the
entering steam and cause force to be applied and
torque to be developed. Since the drop of pressure per
stage is reduced (compare with simple impulse turbine)
the steam velocity leaving the nozzle is reduced. Thus
the shaft speed is reduced. The leaving (carry over)
losses in the pressure compounded turbine is also
reduced. This type of turbine is also called Rateau
turbine. This turbine has disadvantages of long number
of stages, hence it is most expansion.
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Dr. Moayed

Mechanical Engineering Department

2. Velocity-Compound impulse turbine:
In this turbine complete drop of steam pressure (from boiler to condenser pressure) takes
place in one set of nozzles, but drop in the velocity of steam is carried out in more than one
ring of moving blades. The high velocity steam from nozzle first passes on to the first raw of
moving blades where its K.E. is only partially reduced from there steam passes into a raw of
fixed blades which are mounted in turbine casing. These fixed blades are so arranged as to
direct steam along correct direction into a second raw of moving blades which are mounted on
the same turbine wheel, as the first raw of moving blades K.E. of steam is again partially
reduced in the second raw of moving blades. Since there is a gradual decrease in the velocity
of steam, it results in a slower turbine speed (compare with simple impulse). The advantages
of velocity compound turbine is relatively fewer number of stages and hence less initial cost.
The disadvantages is low efficiency. The velocity compounded stage called the Curtis stage.
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Mechanical Engineering Department

3. Pressure-Velocity Compounding:

This type of turbine is a combination of pressure and

velocity compounding. The total pressure drop of
steam from boiler to condenser pressure is divided in
to a number of stages as is done in pressure
compounded method. Each stage may be having a
number of rows of fixed and moving blades. Thus the
velocity obtained in each stage is utilize in a number of
moving blades as is done in the velocity compounded
method. Hence each stage of this turbine will consists
of a set of nozzles followed by a set of moving blades.
Steam is partially expanded in a row of nozzles where
its velocity is increased, the steam then enters a few
rows of velocity-compounding. From this stage the
steam then enters a second row of nozzles where its
velocity is again increased. This is followed by another
few rows of velocity compounding and so on. This type
of turbine is simple in construction but its efficiency is
low compare with pressure-compounded.
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Dr. Moayed

Mechanical Engineering Department

Flow of steam through impulse turbine blades:
A. Simple impulse turbine
1. Velocity diagrams: it is a matter of prime importance that we should be able to estimate
the propelling force that would be applied to a turbine rotor under any given set of conditions,
for by this means we can calculate the work done and hence the power. Since the force is due
to a change of momentum caused mainly by a change in the direction of flow, it becomes
essential to draw diagrams showing how the velocity of the steam varies during its passage
through the blades.
It is an established fact that velocity is vector quantity it has a magnitude and direction. Thus
we can present velocity by a straight line and indicates; (a) its magnitude by the length of that
line to a suitable scale and (b) its direction by the direction of the sold straight line with
reference to some fixed direction.
Po v1
vw1 u v w2 vr1
+ α1 u
P1 β 1 β 2 α 2
v
+ vr1 1
vr2 v2
vw
vr2
v2 u
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Mechanical Engineering Department

v1 : absolute velocity of steam at outlet from nozzle

v2 : absolute velocity of steam at outlet from blades
vr1: steam velocity relative to blades at inlet
vr2: steam velocity relative to blades at outlet
u : mean peripheral velocity of blades
vf: axial velocity
vw : tangential component
α1 : jet angle (nozzle outlet angle)
α2 : absolute direction of steam leaving blades
β1: inlet angle of blades
vw1 vw2
β1: outlet angle of blades +
u
β1 β2 α 1 α2
vr1 v1
+ vr2 v2 vf2
vf1
vw
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Mechanical Engineering Department

F = ṁ . Change in velocity
F = ṁ . Change of velocity in the tangential direction
F = ṁ (– vw2 – vw1)
F = – ṁ (vw2 + vw1 )
This force is from blade to the jet and force from jet to blade [which is impulse force
on the blades in the direction of motion] is vw1 vw2
u
F = – ṁ (vw2 + vw1 ) ----------- 1 + β1 β2 α 1 α2
vr1 v1
From diagram + vr2 v2 vf2
vf1
vw = v1 cos α1 – v2 cos α2 = vr1 cos β1 + vr2 cos β2 vw

Power = F . u
= ṁ . vw . u ---------- 2
Axial thrust = ṁ (vf1 - vf2 ) ----------- 3
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Mechanical Engineering Department

2. Influence of blade speed ratio on blade efficiency:

Blade efficiency is the ratio of WD on the blade to the K.E. entering the blade
ɳb = ratio of doing work per kg of steam / energy supplied to the blade per kg of
steam

ɳb = u. vw/ [1/2 . (v1)2] ----------- 4

vw = vr1 cos β1 + vr2 cos β2
Due to friction vr2 is less than vr1 and (vr2 / vr1) = k
Where k is blade velocity coefficient which is less than unity.
Generally in practice the angles β1 and β2 are smaller equal in some cases in pure
impulse turbine the difference between β1 and β2 is always small.
vw = vr1 cos β1 [1+ (vr2 / vr1) (cos β2 /cos β1)]
(vr2 / vr1) = k , cos β2/cos β1 = G
From velocity diagram
vr1 cos β1 = v1 cos α1 – u
vw = (v1 cos α1 – u) (1+ k G)
2u vw = 2u (v1 cos α1 – u) (1+ k G)
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Mechanical Engineering Department

Let u/v1 = ρ this is known as the blade speed ratio

Then u = v1 . ρ
And
2u vw = 2 v1 ρ (v1 cos α1 – u) (1+ k G)
= 2 (v1)2 (1+K G) (ρ cos α1- ρ2)
Then, ɳb = 2 (1+K G) (ρ cos α1- ρ2) ------------ 5
If K. G and α1 are constant then ɳb depends on ρ only and for max. blades efficiency

dɳb/ dρ = 2(1+kG) (cos α1- 2ρ) = 0

ρopt. = cos α1/ 2 ----------------------------------------- 6 ɳ Without friction
b
The speed ratio gives max. blade efficiency.
With friction
From eq. 6 u = v1 cos α1/ 2 sub in eq. 5
ɳb(max.) = 2(1+kG) [(cos2α1/2)- (cos4α1/4)]
ɳb(max.) = (1+kG) (cos2α1/2) ------------------------------- 7

cosα/2
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Mechanical Engineering Department

3. Stage Efficiency:

It is the ratio of the work done on the stage per kg of steam flow through the stage
to the isentropic heat drop in the stage

ɳs = u. vw/ his ------------------ 8

ɳs = (2u. vw/ v12)/( v12/2his)

But ɳn = (v12/2 – vo2/2) / his where v1, vo is the outlet velocity from nozzle
and the inlet velocity to the nozzle respectively
When vo = 0
ɳn = (v12/2) / his

ɳs = ɳb ɳn ----------------------- 9
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Mechanical Engineering Department

4. Blade height

In the impulse turbine the nozzles doesn’t occupy the complete circumference
leading in to the blade annulus, and this is referred to as partial admission.

From continuity equation at nozzle outlet

Nozzles
ṁ .v = v1.  . Sin α1 ln --------- 10
Where
 is the length of the arc covered by the nozzles
ln is the nozzle length at the outlet side v1 v1


α
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Mechanical Engineering Department

The mass flow of steam ṁ passes through the blade channels of moving blades

ṁ . v = vr2 (S Sinβ2 – t) l . /S -------------------- 11

Where

S is pitch at exit
t is blade thickness β2
vr2 t
l is blade height at exit
S
All above calculations are used for a single impulse turbine and because pressure
compounded turbine is a multi single stage then these calculations are also used
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Mechanical Engineering Department

B. Velocity Compounded
1. Velocity diagram
The method employed in drawing the diagram is
nearly on extension of the method used for a single
row wheel. The figure below shows the velocity
diagram for two raw wheel which contains two set
of moving blades and one set of fixed (guide) u
blades which are to direct the steam for entry in to 1β1 1β2 1α1
1α2
the next moving raw. 1 v1 1 v2
1vr1
1vr2
- The absolute velocity from the first row 1v2 is
greater than that entering the second row of 1v w
moving blades due to friction u
2v1 < 1v2 [2v1 = k 1v2 k is velocity coefficient] 2α1
2β1 2β2 2α2
1vw is the whirl velocity component in first raw- 2vr2
2vr1 2 v2
- 2vw is the whirl velocity component in second - 2 v1
raw
Power = W.D/second 2v w
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Mechanical Engineering Department

Power from the first row = ṁ u 1vw

Power from the second row = ṁ u 2vw

Total power from the stage = ṁ u (1vw + 2vw) ----------------------- 12

Total axial thrust = ṁ [(1vf1 - 1vf2) + (2vf1 - 2vf2)] ----- ---13
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Mechanical Engineering Department

2. Influence of blade speed ratio on blade efficiency

As in the case of the single row impulse

wheel there is a certain ratio of blade
velocity to steam velocity which results in
L C u A M
the greatest blade efficiency. The ratio will 1β2 1α1
1 β1 1α2
be now determined for two-row wheel 1 v1
1vr1 1 v2
under the following assumptions.
1vr2

1. That the blades in each row are D

B
equiangular.
2. That the velocity coefficient (k) is the N G u E O
same for each row of blades ( moving and 2β1 2β2 2α1 2α2
2 v2
fixed ) 2vr1 2vr2
2 v1 H
Blade efficiency = 2u (1vw + 2vw) / 1v12 F
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Mechanical Engineering Department

AL = 1v1 cos 1α1 CL = 1v1 cos 1α1 – u = 1vr1 cos 1β1
CM = 1vr2 cos 1β2 = k 1vr1 cos 1β2 = k (1v1 cos 1α1 – u)

AM = CM – CA = k (1v1 cos 1α1 – u) – u

1vw = AL + AM
= 1v1 cos 1α1 + k 1v1 cos 1α1 – Ku – u
Since EF = k AD, 1α2 = 2α1
EN = 2v1 cos 2α1 = k 1v2 cos 1α2 = k2 (1v1 cos 1α1 – u) – u
Then
EN = k AM
EN = k (k (1v1 cos 1α1 – u) – u)
= k2 (1v1 cos 1α1 – u) – k u

GN = EN – u
GN = k2 (1v1 cos 1α1 – u) – k u – u
GO = 2vr2 cos 2β2 GO = k [k2 (1v1 cos 1α1 – u) - k u - u]
= k 2vr1 cos 2β1 = k3 (1v1 cos 1α1 – u) – k2 u – k u
= k GN
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Mechanical Engineering Department

2vw = NG + GO
= k31v1 cos 1α1 + k2 1v1 cos 1α1 – k3 u – 2 k2 u - 2 k u – u

1vw+ 2vw = k1 1v1 cos 1α1 – k2 u

Where
k1 = 1 + k + k2 + k3
k2 = 2 + 3k + 2k2 + k3

Blade efficiency = 2 u (1vw + 2vw) /1v12

ɳb = 2 u (k1 1v1 cos 1α1 – k2 u) /1v12
Let ρ = u/1v1 u = ρ 1v1
ɳb = 2 (k1 ρ cos 1α1 – k2 ρ2) ---------------------- 14
For max. efficiency dɳb /dρ = 0
2 k1 cos 1α1 – 4 k2 ρ = 0
ρopt. = k1 cos 1α1 /2 k2 ------------------------ 15
When there is no friction on blades k = 1
k1= 4 k2= 8
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ρopt. = cos 1α1 /4 -------------------------------- 16 ɳb k =1

For general optimum ρ is given by
ρ = cos 1α1 /2 n -------------------------------- 17
n : number of moving rows

Sub. 16 in 14
cosα/4
ɳmax. = (k12/k2) (cos21α1/2) -------------------- 18
When k =1
ɳmax. = cos21α1 ------------------------------------19
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Mechanical Engineering Department

3. Blades height

If there are two rows of moving blades Ln,L1, Lf, L2 represent the radial heights of the
nozzle, first row, fixed row and second row respectively

From continuity equation at out of nozzle

ṁv = 1v1  sin1α1 ln -------------------------------- 20
Let s1 = mean circumferential pitch of blades at first row
sf = mean circumferential pitch of blades at fixed row
s2 = mean circumferential pitch of blades at second row
/s1 = number of the blades channels through which the steam is following in
first row.
/sf = number of the blades channels through which the steam is following in
fixed row.
/s2 = number of the blades channels through which the steam is following in
second row.
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Mechanical Engineering Department

From continuity equation at outlet from first row

ṁ v = 1vr2 ( /s1) l1 (s1 sin 1β2 – t1) ------------------------ 21

At outlet from fixed row

ṁ v = 2v1 ( /sf) lf (sf sin 2α1 – tf) --------------------------- 22

At outlet from second row

ṁ v = 2vr2 ( /s2) l2 (s2 sin 2β2 – t2) ------------------------ 23
Where t is thickness of the blade edge at exit.