Which turbine generates power through the expansion of steam in the blades?

Which turbine generates power through the expansion of steam in the blades?

• A. Impulse turbine
• B. Reaction turbine
• C. Compounding turbine
• D. Combined cycle turbine

Answer: (A)

The impulse turbine is fundamentally designed to generate power through the principle of steam expansion in the turbine blades. In an impulse turbine, high-pressure steam is directed through nozzles, creating a high-velocity jet that strikes the blades. As the steam strikes the blades, it causes them to rotate, converting the energy from the steam into mechanical energy. This design allows the turbine to capture the kinetic energy of the steam, which is a critical aspect of its operation. The expansion of steam occurs as it passes through the nozzle; however, the pressure remains relatively constant as the steam interacts with the turbine blades. The primary focus is on the velocity and direction of the steam as it is directed onto the turbine blades, rather than on pressure changes throughout the turbine. In contrast, reaction turbines, for example, operate with both pressure change and steam expansion taking place along the blades, making them quite different in design and function from impulse turbines. Other types like compounding turbines focus on increasing efficiency by combining stages of impulse and reaction, while combined cycle turbines incorporate multiple cycles for power generation, typically combining gas and steam turbines. Each of these alternatives operates on different principles, emphasizing various aspects of energy conversion rather than purely the expansion of steam as seen in impulse turbines.

The impulse turbine is fundamentally designed to generate power through the principle of steam expansion in the turbine blades. In an impulse turbine, high-pressure steam is directed through nozzles, creating a high-velocity jet that strikes the blades. As the steam strikes the blades, it causes them to rotate, converting the energy from the steam into mechanical energy.

This design allows the turbine to capture the kinetic energy of the steam, which is a critical aspect of its operation. The expansion of steam occurs as it passes through the nozzle; however, the pressure remains relatively constant as the steam interacts with the turbine blades. The primary focus is on the velocity and direction of the steam as it is directed onto the turbine blades, rather than on pressure changes throughout the turbine.

In contrast, reaction turbines, for example, operate with both pressure change and steam expansion taking place along the blades, making them quite different in design and function from impulse turbines. Other types like compounding turbines focus on increasing efficiency by combining stages of impulse and reaction, while combined cycle turbines incorporate multiple cycles for power generation, typically combining gas and steam turbines. Each of these alternatives operates on different principles, emphasizing various aspects of energy conversion rather than purely the expansion of steam as seen in impulse turbines.