Lecture Notes Turbines and IC Engines
Lecture Notes Turbines and IC Engines
Prime Mover: A Prime Mover is a self moving device which converts the available natural source of energy into
mechanical energy of motion to drive the other machines. Ex: Steam turbines, gas turbines, IC engines, etc.
Steam Turbines
A steam turbine is defined as a thermal prime mover in which the heat energy of the steam is transformed into
mechanical energy directly in the form of rotary motion. The heat energy of the steam is first converted into kinetic
energy in a nozzle or a set of nozzles and then is transformed into mechanical energy of rotation.
A steam turbine is mainly used as an ideal prime mover to drive the electric generators in thermal power plants to
generate electric power. They are also used to propel the ships and to drive the compressors, textile and sugar industries
machineries, etc.
The propelling force in a steam turbine depends mainly on the dynamic action of the steam. The steam is caused to fall in
its pressure by expanding in the nozzle. Due to this fall in pressure, a certain amount of heat energy is converted into
kinetic energy which sets the steam to flow with a greater velocity. The rapid moving particles of the steam enter the
rotating part of the turbine where it undergoes a change in the direction of motion which gives rise to a change of
momentum and therefore a force. This constitutes the driving force of the turbine.
Entry Exit
Throat
Convergent Divergent
Part Part
A high velocity jet of steam is produced by expanding a high pressure steam in a convergent-divergent nozzle. The steam
at high pressure and relatively low velocity enters the nozzle and as it passes between the entry and the throat, it expands
to a low pressure. Due to this expansion in this portion of the nozzle the enthalpy of the steam is reduced. As there is no
external work done and heat transfer in the nozzle, this loss in the enthalpy of the steam must therefore be equal to the
increase in the velocity of the steam. Therefore a jet of steam at high velocity comes of the throat section of the nozzle.
The divergent portion of the nozzle beyond the throat is provided to complete any remaining expansion without the
lateral spreading of the high velocity jet of steam.
In the impulse turbines, the steam is expanded from its initial high pressure to a lower pressure before it is delivered to
the moving blades of the rotor. The pressure of the steam over the blades will be at a lower pressure. However, the
velocity of the steam continuously decreases as it glides over the blades owing to the conversion of kinetic energy into
mechanical energy of rotation. Thus in the impulse turbines the mechanical power is produced by the combined action of
the resultant f the centrifugal pressures due to the change of momentum and the effect of change of velocity of the steam
as it glides over the blades. Examples of impulse turbines are De Laval, Curtis, Zoelly and Rateau turbines.
Yogeesha H C Lecture Notes on 10EME14/24
Reaction Turbine ( Parson’s Tubrine)
In this type of turbine, the high pressure of steam does not initially expand in the nozzle, instead directly passes onto the
moving blades whose shapes are designed in such a way that the steam flowing between the blades will be subjected to
the nozzle effect. Hence the pressure of the steam drops continuously as it flows over the blades causing the simultaneous
increase in the velocity of the steam. The increase in the velocity of the steam flowing over the blades develops a force
within itself which enables it to move further, consequently the will be a backward reaction to the force causing the
motion of the jet. Thus the reaction force acting on the blades constitutes a fraction of the propelling force driving the
turbine. In addition, to this reaction force, there is also the centrifugal force exerted by the steam due to the change of
momentum because of the change in direction of the steam passing over the blades. This reduces the velocity of the
steam. Thus the net force acting on the moving blades of a reaction turbine is the vector sum of the centrifugal force and
the reaction force. The actual reaction turbine consists of number of rows of moving blades fitted on the different rotors
keyed to the turbine shaft with alternate rings of fixed blades rigidly fixed to the casing of the turbine. Both the fixed and
moving blades are designed in the shape of the nozzles. Therefore the expansion of the steam takes place both in fixed
and moving blades. The fixed blade ring between the two moving blades enables to deflect and guide the steam to enter
fro one row of moving blades to the next row.
The high pressure steam passing in the first row of fixed blades undergoes a small drop in pressure causing the increase
in velocity of the steam. It then enters the first row of moving blades where it suffers further drop in pressure and velocity
is converted into mechanical energy of rotation of the motor. Thus the velocity of the steam decreases. This continues in
the further row of moving and fixed blades till the pressure of the steam reduced. The changes in the pressure and
velocity of the steam as it flows over the moving and fixed blades are shown in the figure.
7. Can be used for wide range of power applications as they can be built into single units of ratings ranging
from few Ks to over 1000 KW.
8. Less vibration and noise
9. No wear and tear of the parts and require less lubrication
It is a tangential flow, high head, horizontal shaft impulse turbine. It consists of a runner on which number of blades or
buckets are fixed and a nozzle. A nozzle is a passage of varying cross section attached to the end of the penstock.
Penstock is a large pipe carrying water from the dam to the turbine. The flow of water through the nozzle is controlled by
a spear head and spear rod.
The runner is a circular wheel with a series of evenly spaced buckets or blades fixed around its periphery. The buckets are
like a bowl or double hemispherical shape. The advantage of having double cup shaped blades is that, the jet of water
gets split and leaves symmetrically on both sides of the blades. The turbine casing prevents the splashing of water and
also helps to discharge the water to the tailrace.
In operation, water from the dam enters the nozzle through penstock. As water flows through the nozzle potential energy
will be converted into kinetic energy and a high speed jet of water comes out of the nozzle. This jet of water then
impinges the turbine blades and sets the runner into rotary motion. After performing work, the water will be freely
released to the tailrace of the river.
The pelton wheel is used as high head turbine. It is not suitable for low head because their rotational speed is low and the
runner required is very large and heavy.
Francis Turbine
It is a mixed flow, vertical shaft, medium head reaction turbine. It consists of a runner having guide blades on its
periphery. Volute casing acts as a nozzle. Draft tube a gradually increasing passage through which water flows from the
turbine to the tailrace of the river. Water from the reservoir enter the volute casing through the penstock. As the water
flows through the tapered spiral casing, a part of its potential energy will be converted into kinetic energy. Then water
flows through the guide blades, gets deflected and then flow radially inwards to the periphery of the runner. The water
then moves over the moving blades in the radial direction and is finally discharged to the tailrace axially from the center
of the runner through a draft tube.
During its flow over the runner blades, the blade pressure acts as a nozzle and the remaining part of the pressure energy is
converted into kinetic energy. This jet of water coming out of the runner blades acts as a reactive force and makes the
runner to rotate.
Yogeesha H C Lecture Notes on 10EME14/24
Kaplan Turbine
It is a low head, axial flow, vertical shaft reaction turbine. It is similar to Francis turbine except that runner is the
extension of the vertical shaft and contains blades similar to the propeller of a ship. Hence it is also called a Propeller
turbine. The turbine consists of a hub or boss fixed to the vertical shaft. The runner blades are attached to the hub are
adjustable and can be turned about their axis to take of care of varying water head. The runner has only 3 to 8 blades. It
also has a ring of fixed for guiding the water over the runner blades. The assembly is enclosed in a spiral casing. In
operation, water from the penstock, enters the spiral casing wherein part of the potential energy is converted into kinetic
energy. The water then flows over the guide blades, gets deflected and flows axially over the runner blades. During its
flow over the runner passages, remaining part of the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and thus water at
high velocity leaves the runner blades. As a result, a reactive force acts on the blades making the runner to rotate at high
speed. The water discharging from the turbine is made to flow to the tailrace though an L shaped draft tube.
Yogeesha H C Lecture Notes on 10EME14/24
Difference between Impulse and Reaction water turbine
Impulse water turbine Reaction water turbine
Driving force is due to the impulsive action of water jet Driving force is the combination of impulsive as well as
on the turbine blades reactive force on the blades
No Pressure change occurs at the turbine blades Pressure drop occurs in both fixed and moving blades
Pressure energy is completely converted into kinetic Part of the pressure energy is converted into kinetic
energy in the nozzle before the water flows over the energy in the spiral casing and the remaining pressure
blades energy will act as reactive force on the blades
Comparatively slow speed of rotation Reaction turbine rotate faster for the same head and flow
conditions
Ease to fabricate Comparatively complicated for fabrication
Not required to be filled with water during operation Must be encased in a casing filled with water and
submerged in water
Ex: Pelton Wheel Ex: Francis turbine, Kaplan Turbine
It is also known as Otto cycle or constant volume cycle engine. It requires four strokes of the
piston to complete one cycle of operations in the engine cylinder. The four strokes are as
follows:
6. Suction or charging stroke: In this stroke, the inlet valve opens and the fresh charge
(petrol and air mixture from carburetor) is sucked into the engine cylinder as the piston
moves from TDC to BDC. It continues till the piston reaches BDC. During this travel
of the piston the crankshaft revolves by half rotation. Because of the pressure difference
between the atmosphere and the inside of the engine cylinder, petrol-air mixture will be
drawn into the cylinder from the carburetor. At the end of this stroke, the cylinder will
be completely filled with petrol-air mixture and inlet valve is closed.
7. Compression Stroke: In this stroke, both inlet and outlet valves are closed and charge
is compressed as the piston moves from BDC to TDC. As a result of compression,
pressure and temperature of the charge increases considerably. This completes one
revolution of the crank shaft. Shortly before the piston reaches the TDC during this
stroke, the charge is ignited with the help of a spark plug.
8. Power Stroke (Working stroke or Expansion stroke): During this stroke, both the
valves are closed and because of the combustion of charge, the burnt gases expand. Due
to this expansion, the hot gases exert pressure on the piston and as a result, the piston is
pushed from TDC to BDC. The power impulse is transmitted down through the piston
to the crankshaft. This causes the crankshaft to rotate at high speeds. Thus, work is
obtained in this stroke. At the end of this stroke, the exhaust valve opens which will
release the burnt gases to the atmosphere.
9. Exhaust Stroke: In this stroke, the exhaust valve is open as piston moves from BDC to
TDC. This movement of piston pushes out the burnt gases from the cylinder to the
atmosphere. This completed one cycle of operation and the engine is ready for the next
cycle.
6. Explain the working four strokes diesel engine (Diesel Cycle engine or Constant Pressure
cycle engine or 4 stroke CI engine)
The 4 stroke diesel engine is similar to that of a 4 stroke petrol engine except that a fuel
injector is fitted in place of a spark plug and air only enters into the engine cylinder during
suction stroke. Air alone is compressed during the compression stroke and at end of this stroke,
the fuel injector injects fuel into the hot compressed air. The fuel is then ignited as it comes in
contact with the hot compressed air. Hence these engines are called compression ignition
engines. The working principle of 4 stroke diesel engine is based on Diesel cycle, hence they
are called diesel cycle or constant pressure cycle engines. The four different strokes of the 4
stroke diesel cycle is as under:
i) Suction Stroke: During this stroke, the piston moves from TDC to BDC. The inlet valve
opens and exhaust valve will be closed. The downward movement of the piston creates
a suction in the cylinder and as a result atmospheric air from the air filter is drawn into
the engine cylinder through the inlet valve. When the piston reaches BDC, the suction
stroke ends with closure of the inlet valve.
ii) Compression Stroke: During this stroke, the piston moves from BDC to TDC and both
the inlet and exhaust valves are closed. As the piston moves upwards, the air inside the
engine cylinder is compressed to high pressure and temperature. The compression
process is adiabatic in nature and the compression ratio will be from 15:1 to 22:1. At
the end of this stroke, the fuel is injected into the engine cylinder in the form of fine
sprays by a fuel injector. Combustion of fuel takes place at constant pressure.
iii) Power Stroke: During this stroke, both inlet and exhaust valves remain closed. Due to
the combustion of fuel, the burnt gases expand and exert a large force on the piston.
Due to this, the piston is pushed from TDC to BDC. The power impulse is transmitted
down through the piston to the crankshaft through the connecting rod. This causes the
crankshaft to rotate at high speeds. Thus power is obtained during this stroke. The
expansion gases is adiabatic in nature and when the piston reaches BDC the exhaust
valve opens. A part of the burnt gases escapes through the exhaust valve due to their
expansion. The drop in pressure is at constant volume.
7. Explain the working of two stroke petrol engine ( 2 stroke SI engine, 2 stroke Constant
volume cycle engine or 2 stroke Otto cycle engine)
In a 2 stroke petrol engine, there are no valves instead the cylinder is provided with ports. The
ports acts as valves and are opened and closed by the moving piston. In 2 stroke engine, all
operations are completed in one revolution of the crankshaft or 2 strokes of the piston. In these
engines the two strokes of the piston are as under:
i) Downward Stroke (Inward Stroke) : At the beginning of this stroke, the piston is at
TDC. At this position, the charge (Air and Petrol Mixture) present in the previous
cycle, is compressed to high pressure and temperature. The compressed charge in the
cylinder is ignited by means of a spark plug. As combustion takes place, the burnt gases
expand and exert a large force on the piston. Due to this, the piston is pushed
downwards from TDC to BDC. The power impulse is transmitted to the crankshaft
from the piston through the connecting rod. This causes the crankshaft to rotate at high
speeds.
The movement of the piston from TDC to BDC uncovers the exhaust port . A part of
the burnt gases escape through the exhaust port. Further downward movement of the
piston uncovers the transfer port and fresh charge enters from the crank case into the
engine cylinder. During the downward movement of the piston, the charge in the
crankcase is compressed by the underside of the piston. The compressed charge from
the crankcase rushes into the engine cylinder through the transfer port driving away the
remaining exhaust gases through the exhaust port. This process of sweeping out the
exhaust gases with the help of fresh charge is called scavenging. The top of the piston
9. Compare Petrol Engine and Diesel Engine (Constant Volume Cycle Engine and Constant
Pressure Cycle Engine) (Otto Engine and Diesel Engine) (SI Engine and CI engine)
Basis for comparison Four Stroke Two stroke
1. Cycle of operation Otto Cycle Diesel cycle
2. Fuel used Petrol Diesel
3. Ignition of charge Using a spark plug Self ignition
4. Supply of fuel Using a carburetor Using a fuel pump and injector
5. Thermal efficiency Lower Higher
6. Initial cost Less More
7. Running cost More Less
8. Weight Light and compact Heavy and bulky
9. Noise and vibration Less High
10. Compression ratio Varies from 6:1 to 10:1 Varies from 15:1 to 22:1
11. Starting of the engine Easily started even in cold Difficult to stat in cold
conditions conditions
12. Uses Used in light vehicles such as Used in heavy duty vehicles
cars, motor cycles, etc such as buses, trucks, and
heavy machinery
b) Indicated Power: It is the total power developed inside the engine cylinder. It is given by
kPmlan
IP
1000 60
Where k – number of cylinders in the engine
Pm – Indicated Mean Effective Pressure in
2
N/m l – Stroke length of the piston in metres
4
n = number of working or power strokes per
minute n = N/2 for Four stroke engine
n= N for two stroke engine where N – Speed of the engine
Derivation of Indicated Power
Work Developed by the cylinder in one stroke = Mean force acting x Stroke
= mean effective pressure x area x stroke
= Pm .a. l N-m
Power developed = Work done in one cycle x number of cycles per minute
= Pm.l a.n N-m/min
P .l.a.n
= m
KN-m/s
1000x60
P .l.a.n
= m
KW
1000x60
c) Brake Power : It is the net power available at the end of the crankshaft. The power available
at the end of the crankshaft is measured by applying the brake and is therefore called brake
power.
2π NT
BP KW
1000x60
where N = Speed of the engine
T = Torque of the rotating crank shaft
The torque is measured using either a belt dynamometer or rope brake dynamometer.
In case of Belt dynamometer
T = (T1-T2) R
Where T1 = Tension in the tight side of the belt in N
T2 = Tension in the slack side of the belt in
N R = Radius of the pulley in meters
In case rope brake dynamometer
T = (W-S) R
Where W = Suspended weight in N
S = Spring balance reading in N
R = Effective Radius of the brake drum
= (D+dr)/2 where dr = diameter of the rope, D- diameter of pulley in m
d) Friction Power : It is the amount of power lost due to friction of the moving parts inside the
engine cylinder. It is the difference between Indicated power and brake power expressed in
KW.
FP = IP - BP
e) Mechanical Efficiency
It is the ratio of brake power to the indicated power
f) Thermal Efficiency
It is the ratio of power output to the heat supplied by the combustion of fuel. If the power
output considered to be indicated power then it is called indicated thermal efficiency. If the
brake power is considered then it is called brake thermal efficiency.