POWER PLANT ENGINEERING

by: Mulugeta T.
©WSU Mechanical

CHAPTER-6:
6. Steam Turbines

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History of turbines

• 150 BC – Hero, Aeolipile

• 1232 - Chinese began to use rockets as weapons
(battle of Kai Keng)
• 1629 - Giovanni Branca developed a stamping mill
 6.1 Introduction
 Steam turbine is one of the most important prime
mover component of steam power plant for
generating electricity and is falls under the
category of power producing turbo-machines.
 The purpose of turbine technology is to extract the
maximum quantity of energy from the working
fluid, to convert it into useful work with
maximum efficiency, by means of a plant having
maximum reliability, minimum cost, minimum
supervision and minimum starting time.
 Operational Principle of Steam
Turbine
• Steam turbine depends completely upon the dynamic action of the steam
flowing over turbine blade.
• According to Newton’s Second Law of Motion, the force is proportional to
the rate of change of momentum.
• If the rate of change of momentum is caused in the steam by allowing a
high velocity jet of steam to pass over curved blade, the steam will impart
a force to the blade.
• If the blade is free, it will move off (rotate) in the direction of force which
created by change of momentum.
• In other words, the motive power in a steam turbine is obtained by the
rate of change in moment of momentum of a high velocity jet of steam
impinging on a curved blade which is free to rotate.
• The steam from the boiler is expanded in a passage or nozzle where due to
fall in pressure of steam, thermal energy of steam is converted into kinetic
energy of steam, resulting in the emission of a high velocity jet of steam.
 Classifications of Steam Turbine
Steam turbines can be classified 5. By direction of steam
in several different ways: flow
1. By details of stage design
Axial flow, radial flow or
Impulse or reaction
2. By steam supply and exhaust conditions
tangential flow
• Condensing or non-condensing 6. Single or multi-stage
• Automatic or controlled extraction 7. In taking Condition
• Mixed pressure
• Reheat
• Superheated or
4. By number of exhaust stages in parallel saturated
• Two flow, four flow or six flow
 Cont…
• Depending up on the types of blades
used and the method of energy
transfer from the fluid to the rotor
wheel, the turbines may be two types:
i. Reaction turbine
ii. Impulse turbine
 i. Reaction turbine.`
• In Reaction turbines, addition to the pressure drop occurs in
the nozzle there will also be pressure drop occur when the
fluid passes over the rotor blades. Figure below shows the
Reaction turbine.
• Most of the steam turbine are of axial flow type devices
except Ljungstrom turbine which is a radial type.
 ii. Impulse Turbine
• If the flow of steam through the nozzles and moving blades of a
turbine takes place in such a manner that the steam is expanded
only in nozzles and pressure at the outlet sides of the blades is
equal to that at inlet side; such a turbine is termed as impulse
turbine because it works on the principle of impulse.
• In other words, in impulse turbine, the drop in pressure of steam
takes place only in nozzles and not in moving blades.
• This is obtained by making the blade passage of constant cross-
section area
• As a general statement it may be stated that energy
transformation takes place only in nozzles and moving blades (rotor)
only cause energy transfer.
• Since the rotor blade passages do not cause any acceleration of
fluid, hence chances of flow separation are greater which results in
lower stage efficiency.
 cont…

• In Impulse turbine, the enthalpy drop (pressure drop)

completely occurs in the nozzle itself and when the fluid
pass over the moving blades it will not suffer pressure
drop again.
• Hence pressure remain constant when the fluid pass over
the rotor blades. Figure below shows the schematic
diagram of Impulse turbine.
 Losses in Steam Turbine
• Profile loss:- Due to formation of boundary layer on blade surfaces.
Profile loss is a boundary layer phenomenon and therefore subject to
factors that influence
boundary layer development. These factors are Reynolds number,
surface
roughness, exit Mach number and trailing edge thickness.
• Secondary loss:- Due to friction on the casing wall and on the blade
root and tip. It is a boundary layer effect and dependent upon the same
considerations as those of profile loss.
• Tip leakage loss:- Due to steam passing through the small clearances
required
between the moving tip and casing or between the moving blade tip
and rotating shaft. The extend of leakage depends on the whether the
turbine is impulse or reaction. Due to pressure drop in moving blades
of reaction turbine they are more prone to leakages.
• Disc windage loss:- Due to surface friction created on the discs of an
 Cont…

• Wetness loss: Due to moisture entrained in the low pressure

steam at the exit of LP turbine. The loss is a combination of two
effects; firstly, reduction in efficiency due to absorption of
energy by the water droplets and secondly, erosion of final
moving blades leading edges.
• Leaving loss: Due to kinetic energy available at the steam
leaving from the last stage of LP turbine. In practice steam does
slow down after leaving the last blade, but through the
conversion of its kinetic energy to flow friction losses.
• Partial admission loss: Due to partial filling of steam, flow
between the blades is considerably accelerated causing a loss in
power.
 Merits and Demerits of Steam Turbine
Merits:
• Ability to utilize high pressure and high temperature steam.
• High component efficiency.
• High rotational speed.
• High capacity/weight ratio.
• Smooth, nearly vibration-free operation.
• No internal lubrication.
• Oil free exhaust steam.
• Can be built in small or very large units (up to 1200 MW).
Demerits:
– For slow speed application reduction gears are required.
– The steam turbine cannot be made reversible.
– The efficiency of small simple steam turbines is poor.
Stages of Steam Turbine
 Turbine Selection
• In all fields of application the competitiveness of
a turbine is a combination of several factors:
– Efficiency
– Life
– Power density (power to weight ratio)
– Direct operation cost
– Manufacturing and maintenance costs
 6.2 Velocity Triangles
• The three velocity vectors namely, blade speed,
absolute velocity and relative velocity in relation to
the rotor are used to form a triangle called velocity
triangle.
• Velocity triangles are used to illustrate the flow in
the blading of turbo machinery.
• Changes in the flow direction and velocity are easy to
understand with the help of the velocity triangles.
• Note that the velocity triangles are drawn for the
inlet and outlet of the rotor at certain radius.
Steam Turbine Blade Terminology
Cont…
 Nomenclature of Velocity
– V-Absolute velocity of steam
– U -Blade velocity ; where N in rpm
– W -Relative velocity of steam
– Va=Vf = Vm -Axial component or flow velocity
– Vw -Whirl or tangential component
– α-Nozzle angle
– β -Blade angle

Suffix: 1 -Inlet, 2 -Outlet

 Rotor inlet and outlet flow velocity
triangle
• Inlet Velocity Triangle • Outlet Velocity
Triangles
Combined Velocity Triangles
 Work Done–Impulse Steam Turbine
• The stream is delivered to the wheel at an angle a1 and velocity V1
and the selection of angle a1 is a compromise.
• An increase in a1, reduces the value of useful component (Absolute
circumferential Component).
• This is also called Inlet Whirl Velocity, Vw1 = V1 cos(a1).
• An increase in a1, increases the value of axial component, also
called as flow component velocity.
• This is responsible for definite mass flow rate between to successive
blade.
• Flow component Va1 = V1 sin(a1) = W1sin(b1).
• The absolute inlet velocity can be considered as a resultant of blade
velocity and inlet relative velocity.
• The two points of interest are those at the inlet and exit of the
blade.
 U
a2 a1 b2 b1
V2 V1 W1
W2

Newton’s Second Law for an Impulse Blade:

The tangential force acting of the jet is:
F = mass flow rate X Change of velocity in the tangential direction

Tangential relative velocity at blade Inlet : W1 cos(b1).

Tangential relative velocity at blade exit : -W2 cos(b2).

Change in velocity in tangential direction: -W2 cos(b2) - W1cos(b1).

-(W2 cos(b2) + W1cos(b1)).

Tangential Force, 
FA   mW2 cos  2  W1 cos 1 
 The reaction to this force provides the driving thrust on the wheel.

The driving force on wheel


FR  mW2 cos  2  W1 cos 1 
Power Output of the blade,

Pb  m U W2 cos  2  W1 cos 1 

Diagram efficiency or blade efficiency:

Power ouput
d 
Kinetic Power of inlet steam


m U W2 cos  2  W1 cos  1
d  
m V12
 2U kW1 cos  2  W1 cos  1 In actual case, the relative
d  velocity is reduced by friction
V12 and expressed by a blade
velocity coefficient k.
2UW1 k cos  2  cos  1
d 
V12 Thus, k = W2/W1

Vw1 Vw1  V1 cos 1  U  W1 cos 1

U
b1
V1 cos 1  U
a2 a1 b2 W1 
V1 cos 1
V2 W1
W2

 cos  2 
2U V1 cos 1  U  k  1
 cos  1 
d 
V12
  cos  2 
2U V1 cos 1  U  k  1
 cos  1 
d 
V12


U U  
2
 cos  2 
 d  2 cos 1     k  1
V1  V1   cos  1 
 

Define Blade Speed Ratio, =U/V1

 cos  2 
 d  2 cos 1    k  1
 cos  1 
For a given shape of the blade, the efficiency is a strong function of f
Thus the maximum diagram efficiency of the blade is obtained by:
d d
For maximum efficiency: 0
d

 cos 1 
2cos 1  2  k  1  0
 cos  1 
cos 1 U
cos 1  2   0    
2 V1

 cos 1 cos 1  cos  2 

 d ,max  2 cos 1    k  1
 2 4  cos  1 
 The maximum efficiency of the blade is
2  cos  2 
 d ,max  2  k  1
 cos  1 
If the blade is symmetrical, then β1 = β2 and neglecting frictional effects of the
blades on the steam, W1 = W2.
In actual case, the relative velocity is reduced by friction and expressed by a blade
velocity coefficient k.
Thus, k = W2/W1=1  cos 1 cos 1 
i.e., maximum diagram efficiency
 d ,max  4 cos 1   
 2 4 
η d max = cos
2
α 1
I. For the given steam velocity work done per kg
of steam would be maximum when cos2α1=1 at
α1=0.
II. As α1 increase, the work done on the blades
reduces, but at the same times surface area of
blades reduces, therefore there are less friction ᴓ
losses
 Work sheet
1. The velocity of steam entering a simple impulse turbine is 1000 m/se, and the
nozzle angle is 20o. The mean peripheral velocity of blade is 400 m/se and
blades are symmetrical. If the steam is to enter the blade without shock, what
will be the blade angle?
a) Neglecting the friction effects on the blades, calculate the tangential force
on the blade and the diagram power for mass flow of 0.75 kg/se. Estimate
also the axial thrust and diagram efficiency.
b) If the relative velocity at the exit is reduced by friction to 80 % of that at
the inlet, estimate the axial thrust, diagram power and diagram efficiency.
2. In the stage of an impulse turbine provided with a single row wheel, the mean
diameter of the blade ring is 800 mm and the speed of rotation is 3000 rpm.
The steam issues from the nozzle with velocity of 300 m/se and the nozzle
angle is 200. The rotor blades are equiangular and the blade friction factor is
0.86. What is the power developed in the blading when the axial thrust on the
blades is 140 Newton?
 CHAPTER-7:
7. Steam condensers, condensate-feed water and circulating water system
7.1 Introduction

•If the pressure of the exhaust steam reduced below the

atmospheric pressure and hence its energy, partially or
fully, can not be reutilized, then this phenomenon is
called Steam Condensation.
 Steam Condensers and
Condensate
The heat transfer device in which the exhaust
steam of a turbine or an engine is condensed by
means of cooling water at pressure below
atmospheric, is called Steam Condenser.
The condensed Steam is called Condensate and
can be again returned to Boiler and It saves the
cost of water.
Principle of Condensation
• In order to attain maximum work,
according to Carnot principle, the
heat must be supplied at Maximum
pressure and temperature and
should be rejected at Minimum
pressure and temperature.
• The steam from the steam turbine
or steam engine could be exhausted
to atmosphere in such a manner
that the back pressure would below
the atmospheric pressure.
 Advantages of Condensers
 It increases the work output per kg of steam
supplied to the power plant.
 Reduces the specific steam consumption.
 Reduces the size of power plant of given
capacity.
 Improves the thermal efficiency of power
plant.
 Saves the cost of water to be supplied to
boiler.
7.2 Elements of Condensing Plant
 CONDENSER: In which the exhaust
steam of the turbine is condensed by
circulating cooling water.
 CONDENSATE EXTRACTION PUMP:
to remove the condensate from the
condenser and feed it into the hot-well.
The feed water from hot-well is further
pumped to boiler.
 AIR EXTRACTION PUMP: to remove air
from the condenser, such a pump is called
dry air pump. If air and condensate both
are removed, it is called as wet air pump.
 CIRCULATING PUMP: used to supply
feed water either from river or from the
cooling tower pond to the condenser.
 Cont…
 COOLING TOWER:
1. The Ferro concrete made
device (hyperbolic shape) in
which the hot water from the
condenser is cooled by
rejecting heat to current of air
passing in the counter
direction.
2. Ring troughs are placed 8-
10m above the ground level.
 7.3 Types of Condensers
ii. SURFACE CONDENSERS
i. JET CONDENSERS
The cooling water flows
The exhaust steam and cooling
through a network of tubes
water come in direct contact and the exhaust steam passes
and as a result the steam is over these tubes. The steam
condensed. It is also called gets condensed due to heat
transfer to coolant by
direct contact condensers.
conduction and convection.
 Comparison of jet and surface condenser

S.no
Jet condensers Surface condensers
1. Steam and water comes in Steam and water does not come in
direct contact. direct contact.
2. Condensation is due to mixing Condensation is due to heat transfer
of coolant. by conduction and convection.
3. Condensate is not fit for use Condensate is fit for reuse as boiler
as boiler feed until the treated feed.
cooling water is supplied.
It is costly. Improves the plant
4. It is cheap. Does not affect efficiency.
plant efficiency.
Maintenance cost is high.
5. Maintenance cost is low.
Vacuum created is up to 730 mm of
 i. JET CONDENSERS
CLASSIFICATION OF JET CONDENSERS

1. Low level jet condensers

i) Counter flow type

ii) Parallel flow type

2. High level jet injectors

3. Ejector jet condensers

(i) LOW LEVEL COUNTER FLOW JET INJECTOR
• The cooling
water to be lifted
into the condenser
up to a height of
5.5m.

•It is having
disadvantage of
flooding the steam
turbine if the
condensate
extraction pump
fails.
1.(ii) LOW LEVEL PARALLEL FLOW JET INJECTOR

• The mixture of
condensate, coolant and
air are extracted with the
help of wet air pump.

• Vacuum created in the

condenser limits up to
600 mm of Hg.
2. HIGH LEVEL JET CONEDNSER/ BAROMETRIC JET
CONDENSER
• It is also called
Barometric jet condenser
since it is placed above
the atmospheric pressure
equivalent to 10.33 m of
water pressure.
• Condensate extraction
pump is not required
because tail pipe has
incorporated in place of
it.
3. EJECTOR JET CONDENSER
• The cooling water enters
the top of the condenser
at least under a head of
6m of water pressure
with the help of
centrifugal pump.
• This system is simple,
reliable and cheap.
• Disadvantage of mixing of
condensate with the
coolant.
 ii. SURFACE CONDENSERS
Surface condensers are of two types
i. SURFACE ii. EVAPORATIVE
CONDENSERS CONDENSERS
In this steam flows • In this condenser shell is
outside the network of omitted.
tubes and water flows • The steam passes through
inside the tubes. condenser tubes, the water is
sprayed while the air passes
The number of water
upward outside the tube.
passes it may be:
• The direction of condensate
a. Single pass
flow and tube arrangement:
b. Multipass
a. Down flow condenser
b. Central flow condenser
DOUBLE PASS SURFACE CONDENSER

• It consist of air tight

cast iron cylindrical
shell.
• If cooling water is
impure, condenser
tubes are made up of
red brass.
DOWN FLOW SURFACE CONDENSER
This condenser employs two
separate pumps for the extraction
of condensate and the air.
Baffles are provided so that the
air is cooled to the minimum
temperature before it is extracted.
The specific volume of cooled
air reduces, thereby, reduces the
pump capacity to about 50%.
Therefore, it also reduces the
energy consumption fro running
the air pump.
CENTRAL FLOW SURFACE CONDENSER

•Air extraction pump is

located at the centre of
the condenser tubes.
•Condensate is extracted
from the bottom of the
condenser with the help
of condensate extraction
pump.
•Provides the better
contact of steam.
EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER
• The exhaust steam is passed through
the series of gilled tubes called
condenser coils.
• Thin film of cooling water trickles
over these tubes continuously from
water nozzles.
• During the condensation of steam, this
thin film of water is evaporated and
the remainder water is collected in the
water tank.
• The condensate is extracted with the
help of wet air pump.
• The air passing over the tubes carries
the evaporated water in the form of
vapour and it is removed with the help
of induced draft fan installed at the
 Merits And Demerits of Jet Condensers
MERITS
1. Less quantity of cooling
water is required to
condense the steam.
2. Simple in construction
and low in cost.
3. Does not require cooling
water pump.
4. Less space is required.
5. Low maintenance cost.
DEMERITS
1. The condensate is a waste.
2. Less suitable for high
capacity plants.
3. Large length of pipes
required, hence piping
cost is high.
4. Loss of vacuum due to
leakage of air from long
pipings.
 Merits And Demerits of Surface Condensers
MERITS DEMERITS
1. No mixing of cooling 1. Require large quantity of
water and steam, hence
the condensate directly cooling water.
pumped into the boiler.
2. Any kind of feed water 2. System is complicated,
can be used. costly and requires high
3. Develops high vacuum,
therefore suitable fro maintenance cost.
large power plants.
3. Require large floor space
4. Require less power to run
the air extraction and since it is bulky.
water extraction pump.
5. System is more efficient.
 7.4 AIR PUMPS
TYPES OF AIR PUMPS

1. WET AIR PUMP

2. DRY AIR PUMP

 Cont…

WET AIR PUMP DRY AIR PUMP

Used to remove both Used only to remove moist air.
condensate and the air These may be of type:
from the condenser. i) Reciprocating
These may be of type: ii) Rotary
i) Reciprocating
ii) Rotary
RECIPROCATING AIR PUMP
(Edward’s Air Pump)
• This pump is
suitable only for
small power plants.
STEAM JET AIR EJECTOR
• It consists of convergent-
divergent nozzle and a
diffuser.
• Steam from boiler enters
from ‘a’ nozzle where its K.E
increases and pressure
decreases.
• Pipe ‘c’ is connected to
condenser form where the air
mixes with low pressure
steam at ‘b’.
• The mixture of steam and air
moves to diffuser ‘d’ where
its velocity decreases and
pressure increases at the time
of leaving.
STEAM JET AIR EJECTOR
• The system shows only one
ejector, if more ejectors are
introduced, a very low pressure
can be obtained in the
condenser.
• Usually up to four numbers of
ejectors are used which can
reduce the pressure in the
condenser up to 0.08 bar.
• It is simple in construction,
cheap, highly efficient and don’t
have any moving parts.
Thank you!!
And Q?