Steam turbines

A steam turbine is a heat engine in which the energy of steam is converted into mechanical work

Steam turbines

A turbine that uses steam as fuel is classified as a heat engine. This means that the power of steam in it is reorganized into mechanical work.

In the blade unit, the possible energy of compressed and warm steam is converted into kinetic energy, with its subsequent conversion into mechanical energy, that is, the shaft is set in motion.

Operating principle:

Water steam passes from the steam boiler apparatus through the coordinating parts up to the curved blades, which are fixed around the rotor. Water vapor acts on the blades and makes the rotor rotate.

This turbine is a component of a steam turbine plant, when a steam turbine and an electric generator are combined, a turbo unit is formed.

Classification of steam turbines

There are three main types of turbines that operate on steam:

• Special applications
• Without steam intake regulation - condensing;
• With steam intake regulation - cogeneration.

Condensing steam pipes

Allow maximum conversion of thermal steam into mechanical work by using the used steam in the condenser. This is where the name of this subtype of turbine comes from. In turn, they are divided into stationary and transport.

Stationary

Built into one working system with alternating current generators. Such a system is called a turbogenerator. The main product of which is electric power. Turbogenerators have one feature, it is that with a higher power of the turbogenerator, it is more economical.

The speed of rotation of the rotor in the turbogenerator is proportional to the frequency of electric current 50 hertz. Basically, such a stationary turbogenerator is used at power plants. There they are divided into:

• Base - carry a stable load (used when efficiency is required);
• Peak - to withstand high loads, work intermittently (used when a quick start is needed);
• Own needs - supply stations (used when there is a need for special reliability);

These turbines have a park source of 270,000 hours. Repairs are carried out once every 4 years.

Transport

They are used in a key way in water transport. Due to the operating principle. They operate with a different number of revolutions, depending on the required acceleration.

Cogeneration steam turbines

They are used to obtain both electrical and thermal energy. Power plants using this subtype are called CHP. They include the following subtypes:

• with controlled steam removal;
• with backpressure;
• with a combination (withdrawal simultaneously with backpressure).

The first type with controlled removal the power from one or more intermediate stages, the remaining goes to the condenser. The required power is regulated by the control system, and the purpose of the output is selected in relation to the required steam criteria.

The second type, that is with backpressure the total used steam goes to cooking, drying and heating. The power depends on the optimal characteristics and is set together with them. Usually used with the power grid, covering the energy shortage.

In the third type, with the complex use of the second and first type, the share of steam is directed from several transition stages, the used steam is allocated for heating or heaters.

Special-purpose steam turbines

As a rule, they are used on the residual heat of enterprises. There are turbines:

• Light steam - uses steam power slightly higher than standard;
• Two pressure - operate both on new steam and on used steam from the through stages;
• Pre-switched turbines - use a large starting force and back pressure, the used steam enters the turbines, which use less steam power.

These turbines are not mass-produced, but are usually manufactured according to specific orders.

A subtype of turbines called small steam turbines is distinguished. These are turbines that create power that does not reach 10 MW. Due to the development of electricity supply, they are becoming more popular. Due to the move away from diesel fuel, due to the rise in the price of diesel. However, with a decrease in the size of the turbine, its efficiency drops. And the price per unit of energy increases. And the question of their use is becoming urgent, but even now they are more efficient and cheaper to operate than diesel installations.