Steam Power Plant

Plate No.2 (STEAM TURBINE)

I. OBJECTIVES

1. To be give complete description of comparison between impulse type and

reaction type steam turbine.
2. To be able to differentiate between absolute velocity and relative velocity and
its significance.
3. To be able to determine some factors to be considered once the jet from the
nozzle could strike to the impeller or blade in the impulse turbine.
4. To able to discuss why it is necessary for the entering steam to pass through
many stages than a single stage.
5. To be able to state the design consideration when computing the number of
stages for the impulse turbine and the reaction turbine.
6. To be able to point out the advantages of using a combined velocity-pressure
stages type than a velocity or pressure stages alone.
7. To able to discuss why it is necessary for the entering steam to pass through
many stages than a single stage.
8. To be able to solve the technical problem given.

VAN ELDRIDGE KYLE STEAM POWER PLANT DATE DUE:

O. CASERES 09/30/2022
DATE SUBMITTED:
ME 66 (ME lab III) PLATE No. 2 10/05/2022
II. THEORY AND ANALYSIS
Comparison between Impulse Type and Reaction Type Steam Turbine

There are two main categories of steam turbines based on the method of energy
transformation taking place inside the turbine or how the steam is expanded. The two
methods are Impulse and Reaction turbine.

An impulse turbine has fixed nozzles that orient the steam flow into high speed
jets. These jets contain significant kinetic energy, which the rotor blades, shaped like
buckets, convert into shaft rotation as the steam jet changes direction. A pressure drop
occurs across only the stationary blades, with a net increase in steam velocity across
the stage.

In the reaction turbine, the rotor blades themselves are arranged to form
convergent nozzles. This type of turbine also makes use of the reaction force produced
as the steam accelerates through the nozzles formed by the rotor. Steam is directed
onto the rotor by the fixed vanes of the stator. It leaves the stator as a jet that fills the
entire circumference of the rotor. The steam then changes direction and increases its
speed relative to the speed of the blades. A pressure drop occurs across both the stator
and the rotor, with steam accelerating through the stator and decelerating through the
rotor, with no net change in steam velocity across the stage but with a decrease in both
pressure and temperature, reflecting the work performed in the driving of the rotor.

The most significant difference between an impulse turbine and a reaction

turbine is that the impulse turbine uses only kinetic energy of water to rotate its
runner, while the reaction turbine uses both pressure and kinetic energy of water to
spin the turbine.

Differentiate between Absolute Velocity and Relative Velocity and its Significance

Absolute velocity of an object is the velocity observed seen as same in

every inertial frames of reference. Relative velocity of an object is the
velocity of the object with respect to any other frame of reference. 

Some factors to be considered once the Jet from the Nozzle could strike to the
Impeller or Blade in the Impulse Turbine

The nozzle is installed to adjust and jet the fluid flow to strike the
buckets. It is the only part of the impulse turbine assembly that the pressure changes
and the flow head are converted into kinetic energy. The volume of water jet reaching
the buckets is adjusted by a component called a spear, which is a conical needle that
moves in and out of the nozzle by a hand wheel or automatically. By moving this
needle backward, the water flow increases, and by moving forward, it decreases.

Why it is necessary for the entering steam to pass through many stages than a single
stage?

Steam turbines are designed with multiple

stages to accommodate the volume expansion of steam
as the pressure drops. As steam moves through the
system and loses pressure and thermal energy, it
expands in volume, requiring a larger diameter and
longer blades in each succeeding stage to extract the
remaining energy. Every stage of a turbine has two
basic design elements: the stationary nozzle and the moving blade or bucket. The
design of these parts depends on factors such as entering steam conditions, exhaust
steam pressure, shaft speed, rated capacity, and steam flow. As the turbine size
increases (i.e., the electricity generation increases), the last-stage annulus area requires
that there be two parallel-flow paths, or double flow, resulting in separate low-
pressure and high-pressure casings. 

Design Consideration when Computing the Number of Stages for the Impulse Turbine
and the Reaction Turbine

For the impulse turbine, the number of stages can be based on two parameters
which are the velocity and available energy. Based on the Curtis (velocity) stages, the
VT
number of velocity stages is given by No . of Velocity Stages= where V T is the total
Vs
possible velocity (V T =√ 2000(∆ h)( ηn)) and V s is the available velocity per stage. The
available velocity per stage (V s ) can be solved using the peripheral velocity (V b ) using
Vb cos α
the formula, R= . For impulse type, the blade velocity ( R ) is given by R= .
Vs 2
Another is the Rateau (Pressure) stages; the number of pressure stages is given by by
∆ hT
No . of Pressure Stages= where ∆ hT is the total available energy and ∆ hs
∆ hs
available energy per stage. Thus, the total number stages for impulse turbine is given
by Total Number of Stages=No . of Velocity Stages+ No. of Pressure Stages .

For the reaction turbine, the number of stages is given by

∆ hRT
No . of Reaction Stages= where ∆ hRT is the total available energy for reaction
∆ hs
turbine and ∆ hs is the available energy per stage. The only difference is that for
reaction type, the blade velocity ( R ) is given by R=cos α .

Advantages of using a Combined Velocity-Pressure Stages Type than a Velocity or

Pressure Stages alone

Impulse stages may be either pressure-compounded, velocity-compounded,

or pressure-velocity compounded. Pressure-velocity compounding is a combination of
the above two types
of compounding. Here the set of nozzle rings is fixed at the beginning of each stage
and pressure remaining constant of each stage. Diameter is comparatively large in
stage for increasing the volume of steam at lower pressure. The total pressure drop of
the steam is divided into stages and velocity obtained in each stage is also
 compounded. A pressure velocity compounded turbine allows a bigger pressure drop
in each stage. That's why pressure velocity compounded method need less stage as
compared to the other method. A Curtis Turbine is an example of pressure velocity
compounded method.

III. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

An impulse type steam turbine (Curtis Stages) which is used to drive generator at 3600
rpm enters at a pressure of 3 MPa and temperature of 300˚C and then leaves through an
isentropic expansion at 10 kPa abs. The blade (wheel) mean diameter is 48 inches. The mass
of steam flowing is at a rate of 50,000 kg/hr. For design considerations, the nozzle angle is
15˚ with a nozzle efficiency of 95 % and mechanical efficiency of 88%. Determine the
following:
a) The velocity of steam at the throat (acoustic velocity), in m/sec
b) The diameter of the throat of the nozzle, in mm
c) The velocity of the steam at the mouth (max. spouting velocity), in m/sec
e) The diameter of the mouth of the nozzle, in mm
f) The number of velocity stages (Curtis Stages)
The steam is directed against the first row of blades and then to the succeeding rows of blades
based on the computed number of velocity stages. The blades are symmetrical and the friction
factor for the blades is 0.092. Determine also the following:
g) The blades angles including the stationary blades
h) The blade power in each stage, in kw
i) The ratio of power between the first row and the second row and between the
second row and the third row and between fourth and third row (if necessary)
j) The combined efficiency of the blading, in %
g) The total shaft power, in kw

NOTE: From the above Technical Problem,

1. Multiply 200 kg/hr to the number of your name in the attendance to serve as increment and

add to the given to mass flow rate of steam indicated above.

2. Multiply 2 ˚C to the number of your name in the attendance to serve as increment and add
to the given superheated steam temperature indicated above.

IV. SKETCH/ DRAWING

V. COMPUTATION/CALCULATION
Given:

ṁs =50,000
kg
hr (
+ 200
kg
hr ) kg
( 82 )=66,400 =18.444
hr
kg
s

1 ft
D=48∈×
N=3600rpm 1m
12∈¿ × =1.22 m ¿
3.28 ft
Pi=3 MPa Pm=10 kPa=0.01 MPa( Isentropic process)

T i=300 ℃+ ( 2 ℃ ) ( 82 )=464 ℃

α 1=15 ° Symmetrical Blades

ηn =95 % fP=0.092

ηm =88 %

Solution:
a.) Velocity of steam at the throat, (in m/s)

V t =√ 2000(hi −ht )ηn

At state i:
Pi=3 MPa & T i=474 ℃

From steam table,

T h s
460 3366.6 7.1144
464 hi si
470 3389.1 7.1448
By interpolation,
kJ
hi =3375.6
kg
kJ
si=7.12656
kg ∙ K

Using Pressure ratio,

( )
Pt 2
k
= k−1
Pi k +1

( )
Pt 2 1.3
= 1.3−1
3 MPa 1.3+1

Pt =1.637 MPa
 kJ
st =si=7.12656
kg ∙ K

Verify,
s g at 1.637 MPa

P s
1.60 6.4218
1.637 sg
1.65 6.4108
kJ
s g=6.41366
kg ∙ K

Since,
s given> s g ∴ Superheated steam

From Steam table,

At 1.60MPa 1.65MPa

h s ν h s ν

3189.0 7.1383 180.80 3209.9 7.1566 178.18

h1.6 MPa 7.15684 ν1.6 MPa h1.65 MPa 7.15684 ν1.65 MPa

3210.8 7.1719 183.90 3231.6 7.1897 181.18

kJ kJ
h1.6 MPa =3201.0289 h1.65 MPa =3210.0573
kg kg

3 3
−3 m −3 m
ν1.6 MPa=182.5105 ×10 ν1.65 MPa =178.2018 ×10
kg kg

P h ν
1.60 3201.0289 182.5105
1.637 ht νt
1.65 3210.0573 178.2018

ht =3207.7099
kJ m3 −3
ν t=179.3221 ×10
kg kg
Thus,

V t =√ 2000(hi −ht )ηn

V t =√ 2000(3375.6−3207.7099)(0.95)

m
V t =564.79
s
 b.) Diameter of the throat of the nozzle, (in mm)
From,
˙
Q t At V t
ṁs = = =
4 ( )
π Dt 2
Vt

νt νt νt

18.444
kg
=
( )
π Dt 2
4
m
(564.79 )
s
s m −3
3
179.3221× 10
kg
1000 mm
Dt =0.0586 m× =58.856 mm
1m

c.) Velocity of the steam at the mouth (max. spouting velocity), (in m/sec)
V m =√ 2000 (hi−hm)ηn
At state m:
kJ
Pm=0.01 MPa sm =s i=7.15684
kg ∙ K
Verify,
kJ
s g at 0.01 MPa=8.1502
kg ∙ K
Since,
s given< s g ∴ Mixture

From Steam table, (At 0.01MPa)

h f =191.83
kJ
sf =0.6493
kJ −3 m3
v f =1.0102 ×10
kg kg ∙ K kg

3
kJ kJ −3 m
h fg =2392.8 sfg =7.5009 v g=14674 × 10
kg kg ∙ K kg
sm =s f + X m s fg
7.15684=0.6493+ X m (7.5009)
X m=0.87
h m=h f + X m h fg v m=v f + X m v fg
h m=191.83+0.87(2392.8) v m=1.0102+0.87(14674−1.0102)
3
kJ m −3
h m=2273.566 v m=12,766.5113 ×10
kg kg
Thus,
V m =√ 2000 (hi−hm)ηn
V m =√ 2000 (3375.6−2273.566)(0.95)
 m
V m =1447.019
s

e.) Diameter of the mouth of the nozzle, (in mm)

From,
˙

Q m Am V m
ṁs = = =
π D m2
4
Vm( )
νm νm νm

( )
2
π Dt m
(1447.019 )
kg 4 s
18.444 =
s −3 m
3
12,766.5113× 10
kg
1000 mm
Dm =0.1627 m× =162.72 mm
1m

f.) Number of velocity stages (Curtis Stages)

For Impulse type,
cosα cos ⁡(15 °)
R= = =0.483
2 2
From,
1 min
V b =πDN =π (1.22 m)(3600rpm)×
60 s
m
V b =229.965
s

So,
Vb
R=
Vs

m
229.965
s
0.483=
Vs

m
V s =476.118
s

Thus,
m
1447.019
V s
No . of Velocity Stages= m =
Vs m
476.118
s
No . of Velocity Stages=3.04 ≈ 3 stages

g.) Blades angles including the stationary blades

From the given:
m
V a =V m=1447.019
1
s
C=1−0.092=0.908
α 1=15 °

For the 1st stage:

V a1 sinα 1
tanβ 1=
V a1 cos α 1−V b

1447.019sin ⁡(15 °)
tan β 1=
1447.019 cos ( 15 ° )−229.965
β 1=β 2=15.313 °

From,
Vr 1 cos β 1=Va 1 cos α 1

(1447.019)cos ⁡(15 °)−229.965

Vr 1=
cos ( 15.313 ° )
m
Vr 1=1210.73
s
So,

Vr2
C=
Vr1

Vr 2
0.908=
m
1210.73
s
m
Vr 2=1099.343
s
V r 2 sin β 2
tan α 2=
V r 2 cos β2 −Vb

V r 2 sin β 2
tan α 2=
V r 2 cos β2 −Vb

(1099.343)sin(15.313 °)
tanα 2=
¿¿
α 2=α 3=19.272 °

For 2nd stage:

From,
 V a cos α 2=V r cos β 2−V b
2 2

(1099.343) cos ⁡(15.313° )−229.965

Va =
2
cos ⁡(19.272 °)

m
V a =879.642
2
s
Va
C= 3

Va 2

Va
0.908= 3

m
879.642
s
m
V a =798.715
3
s
V a sin α 3
tan β 3= 3

V a cos α 3−V b
3

(798.715)sin( 19.272° )
tan β 3=
( 798.715) cos ( 19.272° )−229.965
β 3=β 4 =26.707 °

From,+
V r cos β 3=V a cos α 3−V b
3 3

(798.715)cos (19.272° )−229.965

Vr =
3
cos ⁡(26.707 °)

m
V r =586.569
3
s

So,
Vr4
C=
Vr3

Vr 4
0.908=
m
586.569
s
m
Vr 4=532.605
s
V r sin β 4
tan α 4 = 4

V r cos β 4 −V b
4

(532.605)sin (26.707 °)
tan α 4 =
(532.605)cos (26.707 ° )−229.965
 α 4 =α 5 =44.238 °

For 3rd stage:

From,
V a cos α 4 =V r cos β 4−V b
4 4

(532.605)cos (26.707 °)−229.965

Va =
4
cos( 44.238° )

m
V a =343.109
4
s
Va
C= 5

Va 4

Va
0.908= 5

m
343.109
s
m
V a =311.543
5
s
V a sin α 5
tan β 5= 5

V b −Vr5 cos β 5

( 311.543) sin(44.238°)
tan β 5=
229.965−(311.543) cos(44.238°)

β 5=β 6=88.218°

From,
V r cos β 5=V b−V a cos α 5
5 5

229.965−(311.543) cos(44.238 °)
Vr =
5
cos(88.218° )

m
V r =405.83
5
s

So,
Vr6
C=
Vr5

Vr6
0.908=
m
405.83
s
m
Vr 6=368.494
s
 Vr6 sin β 6
tan α 6=
V b −Vr6 cos β 6

α 6=59.321 °

From,
V a cos α 6=V b−Vr 6 cos β6
6

229.965−( 368.494 ) cos ( 88.218 ° )

Va =
6
cos(59.321 ° )
m
V a =428.252
6
s

h.) Blade power in each stage, (in kW)

For the 1st stage:
F 1=ṁs ∆ V 1
For ∆ V 1 ,
∆ V 1 =V a cos α 2 +V a cos α 1
2 1

∆ V 1 =(879.642)cos ( 19.272 ° ) +(1461.690)cos ( 15° )

m
∆ V 1 =2228.062
s
kg m
F 1=ṁs ∆ V 1=(18.444 )(2255.102 )
s s
F 1=41,094.3748 N
Thus,
B . P1=F 1 V b +
m 1kJ 1 kW
B . P1=(42,220.47066 N )(229.965 )× ×
s 1000 J kJ
1
s
B . P1=9,450.2679 kW
For the 2nd stage:
F 2=ṁs ∆ V 2
For ∆ V 2 ,
∆ V 2 =V a cos α 4 +V a cos α 3
4 3

∆ V 2 =(343.109) cos ( 44.238 ) +(798.715) cos ( 19.272 ° )

m
∆ V 2 =999.777
s
kg m
F 2=ṁs ∆ V 2=(18.444 )(999.777 )
s s
F 2=18,439.887 N
Thus,
B . P2=F 2 V b
m 1 kJ 1 kW
B . P2=(18,439.887 N )(229.965 )× ×
s 1000 J kJ
1
s
 B . P2=4,240.529 kW
For the 3rd stage:
F 3=ṁs ∆ V 3
For ∆ V 3 ,
∆ V 3 =V a cos α 6+ V a cos α 5
6 5

∆ V 3 =(428.252) cos ( 59.321° ) +(405.83) cos(44.238 °)

m
∆ V 3 =509.26
s
kg m
F 3=ṁs ∆ V 3=(18.444 )(509.26 )
s s
F 3=9392.831 N
Thus,
B . P3 =F 3 V b
m 1 kJ 1 kW
B . P3 =(9392.831 N )( 229.965 )× ×
s 1000 J kJ
1
s
B . P3 =2,160.022kW

i.) The ratio of power between the first row and the second row and between the
second row and the third row and between fourth and third row (if necessary)
For the power ratio between 1st row and 2nd row:
B . P2
PR 1−2=
B . P1
4,240.529 kW
PR 1−2=
9,450.2679 kW
PR 1−2=0.4487
For the power ratio between 2nd row and 3rd row:
B . P3
PR 2−3=
B . P2
2,160.022 kW
PR 2−3=
4,240.529 kW
PR 2−3=0.5094

j.) Combined efficiency of the blading, (in %)

2 ∆V T V b
Combined efficiency of the blade= 2
Va 1

For ∆ V T ,
∆ V T =∆V 1+ ∆ V 2+ ∆ V 3
m m m
∆ V T =2228.062 +999.777 +509.26
s s s
m
∆ V T =3737.099
s
Thus,
 m m
2(3737.099
)(229.965 )
s s
Combined efficiency of the blade= 2
×100
m
(1461.690 )
s
Combined efficiency of the blade=80.45 %

g.) Total shaft power, (in kW)

S . P T =S . P1+ S . P2 +S . P3

Since,
S . P=B . P(η m)

So,
S . P T =(B . P ¿ ¿ 1+B . P2 + B . P3 )(ηm )¿

S . P T =(9,450.2679 kW + 4,240.529 kW +2,160.022 kW )(0.88)

S . P T =13,948.72 kW

VI. COMMENTS/REMARKS/RECOMMENDATIONS

Having to input the exact value vs rounding off or round up may make the values
change in big values, also I’ve learn that the Vr and V b may vary when it comes to values. Its
either you subtract the Vb from the Vr or vise versa. Knowing the type of turbine will also
help you understand the things you are trying to calculate.