Page 21 - Steam Turbines--Design, Applications, and Rerating by Heinz-Bloch, Murari-Singh

2 Chapter One

Knowledgeable manufacturers have available a wide selection of
steam end designs, either single or multivalve, to meet any specific
pressure and temperature conditions. In the overwhelming majority of
cases both industrial and cogeneration systems designed for electric
power generation use a simple, single-casing steam turbine. These tur-
bines (Fig. 1.1) can be designed to provide the operating flexibility to
economically utilize steam from a variety of sources to supply:

■ Direct or geared power input for compressors, pumps, or other driven
equipment
■ Steam at the pressures and quantities required for integrated pro-
cesses or lower pressure turbines
■ The electric power desired
■ Cogenerated power for sale to the local utility

1.2 Overview of Steam Turbine
Fundamentals
Before discussing turbine selection, let’s review how a steam turbine
converts the heat energy of steam into useful work. The nozzles and

Figure 1.1 Straight noncondensing steam turbine (14,700 hp),
pedestal-mounted, with electronic valve position feedback.
(General Electric Company, Fitchburg, Mass.)