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A turbine is a versatile machine used in various applications to convert the energy of a moving fluid (gas or liquid) into mechanical energy. Here are the primary definitions and applications of turbines:
- Rotary Machine for Shaft Power: A turbine is a rotary machine that extracts mechanical shaft power from a moving fluid (gas or liquid) using rotor vanes or blades. It operates on the principle of converting the kinetic energy of the fluid into mechanical energy.
- Power Generation: Turbines are commonly used to generate rotary mechanical power from the energy of a moving fluid, such as water, steam, or hot gas. There are several types of turbines used for different applications:
- Steam Turbine: Uses high-pressure steam to turn blades attached to a rotor, generating mechanical energy.
- Gas Turbine: Also known as a combustion turbine, it burns fuel (such as natural gas, diesel, or jet fuel) in a combustion chamber to produce high-temperature, high-pressure gases that drive a turbine rotor.
- Hydraulic Turbine: Uses the flow of water to turn blades and generate mechanical energy, commonly used in hydroelectric power plants.
- Operation of Gas Turbines: Gas turbines operate by compressing air in a compressor section, mixing it with fuel in a combustion chamber where it is burned, and then expanding the high-temperature, high-pressure gases through a series of turbines. These turbines drive the compressor and the output shaft through reduction gears. Gas turbines are known for their smooth operation, easy cold starting, and ability to run on various hydrocarbon fuels. However, they are also associated with high costs, challenges in materials due to high temperatures and rotational speeds, and relatively high NOx emissions.
Turbines are crucial in various industries for their ability to efficiently convert the energy of fluids into mechanical power, making them integral in power generation, propulsion systems (such as jet engines), and other mechanical applications requiring high-speed rotation and energy efficiency.
See Related Terms:
- Axial-flow Turbine
- Back-pressure Turbine
- Gas turbine
- Kaplan Turbine
- Variable-Speed Wind Turbines
- Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
- Water Turbine
- Wind Turbine