What is Steam turbine: Definition and 57 Discussions

A steam turbine is a device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam and uses it to do mechanical work on a rotating output shaft. Its modern manifestation was invented by Charles Parsons in 1884.The steam turbine is a form of heat engine that derives much of its improvement in thermodynamic efficiency from the use of multiple stages in the expansion of the steam, which results in a closer approach to the ideal reversible expansion process. Because the turbine generates rotary motion, it is particularly suited to be used to drive an electrical generator—about 85% of all electricity generation in the United States in the year 2014 was by use of steam turbines. A steam turbine connected to an electric generator is called a turbo generator.

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  1. J

    Working out steam velocity with only pressure difference

    I am currently doing an assignment on nuclear power and in the turbine, the steam is moving from pressure of 6Mpa to 0.008 Mpa. is there any way to work out the velocity of the steam when moving between these pressure differences?
  2. E

    Here is a 3D model I made of a large industrial steam turbine

    This is a 3D model I made of a large industrial steam turbine. It was modeled after one of the turbines at the Port Richmond generating station in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. I plan on modeling the entire turbine hall of that power plant, but that will take several months, at least. The program...
  3. PaxFinnica96

    Engineering Steam Turbine with Open Regenerative Feed Heater

    I would very much appreciate anyone to cast their eye over my attempt at solving this problem which I've been struggling with the past few days. Many thanks in advance. Assuming that: energy input from open-type regenerative feed heater pump is negligible no energy is lost the heater pressure...
  4. Izazo

    Calculating Steam Turbine output power

    So I know the formula " W_turbine = m_flow rate * (H_in - H_out) " BUT is there any formula that utilizes the turbine volumetric flow rate (m^3/sec) at the outlet? The following data is available, I just need the formula... P_in= 2.36 Mpa P_out= 0.95 MPa m_flow rate= 0.02 kg/sec eff_turbine= 70...
  5. Izazo

    Outlet Volume flow rate from a steam turbine

    I am working Organic Rankine Cycle. I studied a number of research papers and in most of them, they have calculated outlet volume flow rate from the turbine or expander, but have not mentioned the calculations. So here are the available data; Pin = Turbine Inlet Pressure, 2.5 MPa Pout = Turbine...
  6. S

    Automotive Design of a Valve stem cross section in a Steam turbine emergency valve

    I want to design cross section area required for valve stem when valve is closed under spring force. Valve stem should be designed for buckling load but I am unable to calculate buckling load coming due to impact force coming when valve bangs on valve seat. Valve is having concentric spring. Is...
  7. Chandrakanth_balusa

    Estimation of the Power Output of a steam turbine

    Hoow can one estimate the amount of steam required to generate certain amount of electical power mathematicaly?
  8. J

    Steam turbine start-up degree of superheat

    Trying to find more information on steam quality requirements on a start up of a 70's vintage GE turbine ( impulse type 2 casings compound double flows reheat condensing turbine). I've read in detail manufacturers recommendations regarding rate of metal temperature change in the 1st stage and...
  9. P

    What is the most efficient way to create steam with the desired properties?

    Hello! new here. recently I've developed an interest in the way electricity is produced, I've seen some mechanisms, most of them are steam turbine based. i have a few questions about the topic, mainly about thermodynamics. if i want to create enough energy to move a steam turbine that requires...
  10. Paul Lasdivan

    Steam Turbine: Solve for Velocity

    Homework Statement Homework Statement [/B] A steam turbine developed 2372.20 Hp when its inlet condition is 1300 Btu/lb enthalpy and 400 ft/s velocity and steam flow of 200 Btu/min :The exit enthalpy is 800 Btu/min. Find the exit velocity. That is the original problem statement but i think the...
  11. J

    Power generated by the steam turbine

    Homework Statement Shown in the figure Homework Equations W= (p2v2-p1v1) / (1-n) The Attempt at a Solution I am not sure where to start and where to use all the data given in the table. Please help. It would be nice if someone could explain the basic nature of the steam turbine, how it...
  12. J

    Power generated by the steam turbine

    Hello, I'm trying to solve a question, please help me.
  13. M

    Isentropic Expansion Within a Steam Turbine System

    Homework Statement Steam is expanded from 90 bar, 412°C to 4.0 bar saturation in a high pressure turbine, after-which a certain percentage of the steam is bled off to a feed heater. The remaining steam is then expanded through a low pressure turbine to 1.0 bar and dryness fraction of 0.93. All...
  14. G

    Help on a thermodynamics problem -- Power from a steam turbine

    Homework Statement Homework Equations P=F*V, dU=Q-W?, W=m(h1-h2) The Attempt at a Solution I have the initial conditions and final conditions written out. For W=m(h1-h2), I have W=9.48(h1-h2). I am having problems with the h values, which can be found in the steam tables.
  15. HethensEnd25

    Pressure change at the inlet of a steam turbine in a small electric power plant

    Homework Statement A steam turbine in a small electric power plant is designed to accept 4500 kg of steam at 60 bar and 500oC and exhaust the stem at 10 bar. Part C. In off-peak hours, the power output of the turbine in part a) (100% efficient) is decreased by adjusting a throttling valve...
  16. J

    Calculating Steam Flow in a Nuclear Power Plant Turbine System

    I have a thermodynamics question I'm having difficulty with... I have a steam generator heated by a 39MW nuclear reactor that powers two 4.5MW turbine generators. It produces dry saturated steam at 330psig, and enters the turbine at those conditions. It exits the turbine to a condenser...
  17. P

    Steam Turbine Efficiency and Steam Bleeding

    Homework Statement [/B] Steam is expanded from 90 bar, 412°C to 4.5 bar saturation in a high pressure turbine, after-which a certain percentage of the steam is bled off to a feed heater. The remaining steam is then expanded through a low pressure turbine to 1.0 bar and dryness fraction of 0.93...
  18. G

    Boiler volume for specific steam turbine?

    New here, hope someone can help. I'm experimenting with a heat source for a steam turbine. I have the specs for the turbine and the necessary conditions for operation, but at this point in my design I need to figure out the volume of the actual boiler/reservoir. A direct answer or the right...
  19. S

    Water injection improves or reduces gas turbine power?

    Hello, I am currently working on a storage project which allows me to decouple the compressor from the expander of a gas turbine. (see image link below) The reason I use a gas turbine is to reheat the air which was cooled after being compressed. As you can imagine there is a efficiency loss...
  20. Brakwa

    Is my air ejector condenser causing vacuum issues?

    Having trouble at a plant where the vacuum has increased to the point where a pump has been put on the end of the air ejector condenser to maintain vacuum, without it the limits would be too high and trip the Steam Turbine. The question is, does the air ejector condenser continuously drain...
  21. C

    Superheated Steam Turbine - on a question please

    1. Superheated Steam enters a turbine with a pressure of 10 bar and a temp of 300 degrees celcius, and exits with a pressure of 0.046 bar. As the steam flows through the turbine it undergoes adiabatic expansion according to the law pv to the power 1.131 = constant From Steam tables I have to...
  22. S

    Steam Turbine Design for Waste Heat Recovery Plant

    i need the design data of a reaction steam turbine in order to complete my project..My project is about waste heat recovery plant..
  23. C

    Thermodynamics Steam Turbine Specific Entropy

    Homework Statement The mass flow rate through a steam turbine operating under steady conditions is 100 kg/s. Steam enters the turbine at 12 MPa and 400oC. A mixture of vapour and liquid water exits the turbine at 10 kPa. At the exit state 93% of the mass of the water is in vapour form. The...
  24. P

    Design Steam Turbine for Solar Energy: Math Help Needed

    im designing a steam turbine and boiler for a solar energy project but i can't figure out the math and have had trouble looking it up the only thing that is definite about the turbine (other than that its a tesla turbine) is that the thermal wattage is 5,855 watts or 1,434.72 calories per second...
  25. Amr Ali 33

    Hey i need some help in calculating the thermal efficiency of steam turbine

    guys i just wanted to know the formula by which i can calculate the thermal efficiency of a pass out steam turbine( a steam turbine with an extraction for process ) I've attached a simple diagram explaining my problem can anyone please help !
  26. I

    Steam turbine performance witr reduction in inlet pressure

    Dear All, I am estimating a future problem while still in erection phase for 60 MW steam turbine. I may need your help to estimate a solution. Due to some reason my process heater is not able to generate steam at the desired pressure (other parameters including Temperature and Flow rate...
  27. M

    Can a Self-Feeding Steam Turbine Recycle Its Own Water?

    I'm trying to design or find a design for a steam turbine that recycles it's water, or at least a large percentage of it, to prevent refilling of a boiler tank. My thoughts; The turbine will be powered by steam heated through copper tubing which is fed from a large unheated, (or partially...
  28. W

    How to calculate the speed of a steam turbine?

    For a uni project one of my concepts is to use the exhaust heat of a formula student car to boil water and use the steam to either spin a turbocharger or an electric generator to produce electricity. How would i calculate how fast i could get the turbine to spin? What equations do i use? And...
  29. S

    Turbomachinery: number of stages and power of steam turbine

    Please help! Steam turbine. Given parameters: turbine speed, steam flow, steam inlet and outlet pressures, nozzle and blade velocity coefficients, blade angles and blade velocity. I can find all efficiencies. How could I calculate number of stages required and the actual power produced?
  30. S

    How does the steam turbine work in a solar thermal power plant?

    (English is not my native language so I apologize for the rest of the post) Hi everyone! I'm an engineering student and I'm currently working on a solar thermal project. I'm trying to model a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant according to DNI (Direct Normal Incidence) change during a...
  31. T

    Adiabatic steam turbine - find the second law efficiency

    Homework Statement The Attempt at a Solution So pretty much for this question you want to find the actual work output of the turbine and the reversible work output. To find the reversible (theoretical) work output, you know that s2 = s1, so based on that information you can find what...
  32. S

    Steam turbine: typical outlet velocity

    Hello, would someone know a real-life example value of the steam velocity at the turbine outlet? Also, an example mass flow (kg/s) at outlet? The typical pressure at outlet? If you know these for both high-pressure (HP) and low-pressure (LP) stage turbines, that would be great I have tried to...
  33. D

    Has anyone experienced with the SST-9000 Steam Turbine by Siemens?

    Has anyone experienced with SST-9000 siemens steam turbine here? I am much astonished to see the steam parameter and the output. Main steam parameter- 290 Degree C/ 75 Bar Reheat steam parameter – 277 degree C / 9 Bar ST power Output is 1700MW. Can anyone explain, how is has been made...
  34. F

    Thermodynamics Steam Turbine Internal Efficiency Question

    [b]1. Steam into a steam turbine at 7 MPa and 500 deg C. The turbine has an internal efficiency of 90 %. The steam exhausts at 20 kPa. 1) What is the exhaust enthalpy? 2) What is turbine work? 3) What is the quality of the exhaust steam? This is a question I got on a 2nd class boilers...
  35. J

    Condensate-boiler return steam turbine

    hi. always wondered how water in a condenser is returned to the boiler. wouldnt it need to be pumped in with a high pressure pump? :grumpy:
  36. K

    Material Selection & Process Selection for Rotor Steam Turbine

    Hi I need to perform a material selection case on the rotor of a steam turbine. Both material selection as process selection have to be made. Since my background is rather chemical than mechanical or material engineering I've encountered some difficulties. I hope you can help me with them. For...
  37. N

    ? about magnifying lens/parabolic mirrors steam turbine electric generator

    Ok here's an idea that isn't a perpetual motion machine (it's no more perpetual than solar cells): Using a big magnifying lens or parabolic mirrors, what are the formulas when either of them are used to evaporate water into water vapor steam to move a turbine to power an electric generator?
  38. D

    How do I conduct structural analysis on steam turbine blades using Ansys apdl?

    Hello, i would like to do structural analysis for low pressure spindle blades in Ansys apdl.. but i couldn't do it coz of lack of knowledge about it.. Can anybody explain me where to apply force/ pressure and constraints and how to do it to find stress, strain and deformation in it.. please i...
  39. N

    Calculating Efficiency of a Steam Turbine at Varying Temperatures

    Homework Statement A steam turbine takes vapor at 463 deg c and exahusts it to a steam boiler at 238 deg c. the turbine then receives a steam from the boiler at this temperature and exhausts it to a condenser at 38 deg c. what the is the maxumim efficiency of this combination. Homework...
  40. C

    I am having trouble understanding a steam turbine

    I know the basic theory to how a steam turbine works. but I have a gap in my understanding of how the thermal dynamics work. I'll outline a scenario and detail the bit I don't understand. simple steam turbine 1/ heat source 2/ boiler 3/ steam jet 4/ impeller The heat source heats...
  41. R

    Steam turbine stage question

    Homework Statement Sketch and describe a reaction turbine with a velocity-compounded impulse stage. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Would anyone happen to know where I could find this?? Link?
  42. P

    How Can Efficiency Be Maximized in a Velocity Compounded Impulse Steam Turbine?

    hii frends, im a doing a project on the efficiency improvement of a velocity compounded impulse steam turbine. we plan 2 do that by varying the input mass flow rate of steam and finding out the particular mass flow rate at which maximum efficiency is attained. the data i could collect...
  43. L

    Steam Turbine enthelpy drops

    Can someone explain something to me: I believe when throttling h1=h2. When calculating enthalpy drop across a FIXED converging nozzle then kinetic energy is caluclated using the following formula: h1-h2 = v2^2/2 - v1^2/2 If the nozzle is converging then there will be an increase in kinetic...
  44. L

    Steam Turbine Design Aid: Understanding Thermodynamics

    Can somebody aid my understanding: I am re-studying thermodynamics at the moment 6 years on from when I last studied it and could do with some clarification: If at the inlet to a steam turbine the pressure is at say 150bar and 550 degrees then there will be a respective enthalpy which is a...
  45. V

    House load operation steam turbine

    In the event of grid failure islanding mode of operation of the electric generation unit is known as House load operation. Under this condition turbine generator produce only auxiliary load which is required to keep electric power plant unit alive. After restoration of grid the unit can be...
  46. T

    Steam Turbine / Tesla Turbine - bladless rotor in steam turbine?

    Hi everyone, I am looking into subject matter to use as my final year project at university. The Tesla Turbine is something that I have recently looked into. I am interested to know the following... In the Tesla Turbine, water is 'injected' and border interactions of the different molecules...
  47. B

    Calculating BTU & Water Consumption for 50 kW/h Steam Turbine

    Hi All, For a small steam turbine to generate power at a rate of 50 kW/h. How many BTU's of heat required per hour, also water consumption per hour, how do you work this out?
  48. M

    Why water turbine have higher efficiency then steam turbine?

    I wonder why water turbine (like in hydroelectric power plant) has, in most design, more then 90% efficiency when steam turbine around 30%. In both cases we converting the pressure to work, so why such a difference in efficiency?
  49. C

    Where Can I Find a Basic 3D Model of a Steam Turbine for Simulation?

    Hello I am new to these forums and probably will be here for a long time. I am looking for a 3D model of a steam turbine I can play with in either CATIA, ANSYS, or Solidworks. I just want to run thermodynamic simulations and not modify any mechanical or structural components. I have been looking...
  50. S

    How does a nozzle work (in a steam turbine)?

    Hello, For sometime now I've been into electronics and i have forgotten most of my meager knowledge in thermodynamics. . Could you explain how a convergent-divergent nozzle works ? Steam at high temperature and high pressure but relatively low speed enters into the nozzle. Then why...
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