How Is So Much Energy Captured From Steam?

Going back to high school physics, water boils at 100°C. At that point, the molecules expand, and we get
vaporized water—steam. By harnessing the energy contained in the rapidly expanding molecules, steam
provides remarkable efficiency for energy output.

Given the high temperature and pressure of steam, it comes as no surprise that there have been
instances where accidents occurred due to poor use or implementation of safety valves. One of the
most notable incidents occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. The event all came down
to a buildup in pressure from steam when the pumps feeding water to the steam generators stopped
working.

How Does a Steam Turbine Work?

In simple terms, a steam turbine works by using a heat source (gas, coal, nuclear, solar) to heat water to
extremely high temperatures until it is converted into steam. As that steam flows past a turbine’s
spinning blades, the steam expands and cools. The potential energy of the steam is thus turned into
kinetic energy in the rotating turbine’s blades. Because steam turbines generate rotary motion, they’re
particularly suited for driving electrical generators for electrical power generation. The turbines are
connected to a generator with an axle, which in turn produces energy via a magnetic field that produces
an electric current.

How Do the Turbine’s Blades Work?

A turbine’s blades are designed to control the speed, direction, and pressure of the steam as it passes
through the turbine. For large-scale turbines, there are dozens of blades attached to the rotor, typically
in different sets. Each set of blades helps to extract energy from the steam while also keeping the
pressure at optimal levels.

This multi-stage approach means that the turbine blades are reducing the pressure of the steam by very
small increments during each stage. This, in turn, reduces the forces on them and significantly improves
the overall output of the turbine.

The Importance of Flexible Controls for Rotating Turbine Machinery

With so much energy passing through steam turbines, there need to be control mechanisms that can
regulate their speed, control the flow of steam, and alter the temperature inside the system. Since most
steam turbines are in large power plants that require on-demand loads, being able to adjust the flow of
steam and overall energy output is a necessity.