Steam Turbines | Efficient Energy Conversion - Chola Turbo Machinery

 

TURBINE INTRODUCTION:

A turbine is a specially designed device that makes use of the kinetic energy of fluids and converts them into rotational motion. The rotational motion is used to generate various forms of power and the fluids may be water, steam, air, combustion gases, etc. There are different types of turbines designed for various applications. Most of the turbines are utilized in electrical energy generation and propulsion systems. The design of the turbine configuration is such that the kinetic energy of the fluids gets multiplied within the casing and the energy is extracted by the turbine to give maximum output power.

Different types of turbines include steam turbines, wind turbines, water turbines, gas turbines, etc. Among these steam turbines and gas turbines are popularly used in energy generation and propulsion systems respectively.

STEAM TURBINE HISTORY:

Steam turbine, one of the greatest inventions in the field of mechanical engineering is an energy conversion device that converts thermal energy from steam into mechanical energy. T

he modern steam turbine was invented in the late 19th century by Charles Parsons. In those days the demand for efficient energy conversion devices was high due to the industrial revolution.

The steam turbines were introduced in the power generation sector as they were able to create a rotatory motion which in turn continuously rotated the shaft of the generators. It replaced the conventional piston-based steam engine because of its greater thermal conversion efficiency and high power-to-weight ratio. Initially, steam turbines were used in power plants, and later they gained importance in various power conversion devices too. The steam turbine made power production cheap and shaped the efficient use of thermal power through its multiple stages of expansion.

Steam turbines have become an integral part of all modern power plants and industries. They are also used in locomotives and propulsion systems. Currently, steam turbines are utilized in the chemical industry, waste plants, oil and gas plants, heating and cooling systems, sugar mills, and other distilleries. Condensing, extraction, and back-pressure are three types of steam turbines.

1. Condensing steam turbines

A condensing steam turbine has the ability to extract total inlet energy to give maximum output energy. Hence these turbines are utilized in power generating sectors. Straight condensing, extraction condensing, bleed condensing, double controlled extraction condensing, injection condensing, re-heat condensing are other classifications of condensing turbines.

Condensing steam turbine is the leading steam turbine among others. Generally, this kind of steam turbine is used for large drive applications for maintaining a power rating limit(above 8 MW). To control the condition of the vacuum these steam turbines drain the condensers. With some tubes of cooling water, the steam is compressed into the water in the condenser.

When the near-circling cooling water condenses the steam into the condenser, the vacuum arises. In less atmospheric pressure, a small quantity of air is enough to leak the system, a comparable compressor is used to extract the gases which are non-condensable from the condenser.

The progress of this type of turbine assembles maximum mechanical power and capability from the steam supply. Condensing steam turbines are extravagant, gigantic, complicated, and non-applicable for mechanical drive function. In low pressure, air can leak the system of condensing steam turbine.

2. Backpressure steam turbine

A backpressure steam turbine ejects the steam at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. They are most suitable for mechanical drive applications like drivers or compressors.

The Back-pressure steam turbine is the most satisfactory machinery for mechanical drive application, such as the operator of compressors or pumps. The back-pressure steam turbine can exhaust steam in high percentage atmospheric pressure. The discharge pressure is generally settled by the particular function of the steam. The process of reducing pressure is periodically used in small and large pressure operations, for example, overheating of the system.

In the industrial process, small steam turbines are used to spin the material that runs for long period. For maximum efficiency of the mechanical power generation, the steam should get expanded at definite pressure. For distributing 10 barg steam, it can reduce almost half the power that could be provoked when the inlet steam system is around 50 barg and 420. c, commonly for small and medium steam turbines.

The combination between mechanical steam condensing power turbine and the back-pressure steam turbine is essential for any power-to-heat output supplied.

3. Extraction steam turbines

An extraction steam turbine is a third type of steam turbine. It has single or multiple openings in its casing for the extraction of a portion of steam at some intermediate pressure in order to increase efficiency. The extraction turbine has several roles for extract a separate portion of the steam in some transitional pressure. This type of turbine is used for the purpose of processing. The process of extracting may be permitted for naturally regulated, it depends upon the design of the turbine.

Extraction turbine allows better steam outflow to generate mechanical power. A few extraction points may be combined with some specific steam turbine but each has different heating and temperature facility because in a plant quantity is matter heavily. These facilities are needed to determine the extent of steam extraction.

When a multiple steam generation system has been used in a variety of pressure because of plant intricacy and needs to scope the thermal efficiency or historical existence. These steam turbines are well-known as admission steam turbines. Using a complicated steam turbine with extraction and admission is not applicable for maintenance with a few megawatts of power and complicated patterns with variable-load, variable-speed steam turbine operation.

ADVANTAGES OF STEAM TURBINES:

The advantages of using steam turbines include greater efficiency, fewer vibrations, require a low volume of inlet fluid flow compared to gas turbines, and a high power to weight ratio.

CMTI offers steam turbines designed and manufactured as per API standards in terms of quality. We manufacture turbines with different configurations like Condensing / Back Pressure, Down, Up and side exhaust configurations, Single/multiple Controlled extractions, Uncontrolled steam extractions, Direct Drive / Gear Driven.

Our customers are located worldwide in more than 20 plus countries and in India, we have service centers in Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata.