Reaction turbine working principle

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the working principle of reaction turbines, specifically how steam interacts with rotor blades to produce motion. In a reaction turbine, rotor blades function as convergent nozzles, causing steam to accelerate through them while simultaneously decelerating in absolute terms due to the rotor's movement. The key takeaway is that while the relative velocity of steam increases as it passes through the rotor, the absolute velocity decreases because the rotor blades are moving in the opposite direction. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding the dynamics of reaction turbines.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles
  • Familiarity with turbine mechanics
  • Knowledge of steam properties and behavior
  • Basic concepts of relative vs. absolute velocity
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the design and function of convergent nozzles in turbines
  • Study the principles of fluid acceleration and deceleration in rotating systems
  • Explore the differences between reaction and impulse turbines
  • Learn about the thermodynamic properties of steam in turbine applications
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, turbine designers, and students studying fluid dynamics or thermodynamics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the operational principles of reaction turbines.

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Let me start this question with a quote:

"In the reaction turbine, the rotor blades themselves are arranged to form convergent nozzles. This type of turbine 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."

So: "... reaction force produced as the steam accelerates through the nozzles formed by the rotor," but... "with steam decelerating through the rotor."

What? As i understand it, increasing the velocity of the fluid requires a force to be acted on a fluid, therefore, fluid exerts an equal force and opposite force to drive the rotor.

Therefore, If the reaction turbine acts as a lawn sprinkler, shouldn't velocity in the rotor increase? But somehow, viewing the diagrams I noticed the velocity drops across the rotor blades. If the rotors acts as a converging nozzle then yes, i understand why pressure drops, but i can't understand why velocity drops.

Thanks!
 
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The steam velocity relative to the blades is increasing, but because the rotor blades are moving in the opposite direction, it slows down the absolute steam velocity.

In the following image, w are the velocities relative to the rotor blades, c are the absolute velocities and u is the velocity of the blades. w3 > w2, but c3 < c2.

Velocity_triangle_for_an_axial_turbine_stage.jpg
 

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