7.

REACTION TURBINES
7.1. IMPULSE - REACTION TURBINE (REACTION TURBINE):
In a reaction turbine, steam enters the rotor under pressure and flows over the
blades. While gliding, steam propels the blades and makes them to move. The rotor is
rotated by reactive forces of steam jets. The motion of blades is similar to recoil of a gun.
Pure reaction turbine is not possible in actual practice and all turbines employ both
impulse and reaction principles. The driving force is partly impulsive and partly reactive.
The Fig.7.1 shows an impulse reaction turbine.

Fig.7.1: Impulse-Reaction Turbine

In this turbine, there are number of rows of moving blades fixed to shaft with
equal number of fixed blades attached to the casing. The fixed blades are set in reversed

manner compared to moving blades and correspond to nozzles referred to in impulse

turbines.
The impulse turbines are partial admission turbines as nozzles do not occupy the
complete circumference leading into blade annulus. In impulse - reaction turbines,
instead of a set of nozzles, steam is admitted for the whole circumference and so there is
full, complete admission. A set of fixed blades are positioned at the entrance in place of
nozzles.
In passing through the first row of fixed blades, steam suffers a small drop in
pressure and hence its velocity increases. It then enters the first row of moving blades
and as in impulse turbine, suffers a change in direction and so results in momentum. This
results in an impulse on blades.
But, here the passage of moving blades is so designed that there is a small
pressure drop in moving blades giving rise to increase in velocity - kinetic energy. This
kinetic energy gives rise to a reaction in the direction opposite to that of added velocity.
Thus, the driving force is the vector sum of impulse and reaction forces. Normally this
type of turbine is known as - Reaction turbine. It is also called as - Parson's reaction
turbine.
In this turbine, the pressure drop takes place in both fixed and moving blades and
blade passages in both are of convergent nozzles shape. The steam velocities in this
turbine are comparatively low and the maximum value is about equal to blade velocity.
In this turbine, as pressure falls, specific volume increase and so, height of blades is
increased progressively.
This type of turbine is very successful in practice and popular in power plants.

1.
2.
3.
4.

7.2. PARSONS REACTION TURBINE:

A Parson's reaction turbine is the simplest type of reaction turbine and is commonly
used.
The main components of it are:
Casing.
Guide mechanism.
Runner.
Draft tube.
The casing is an air tight metallic case in which steam from boiler under high
pressure is distributed around the fixed blades which are positioned at the entrance. The
casing is so designed that steam enters the fixed blades with uniform velocity.
The guide mechanism consists of fixed or guide blades. They allow the steam to
enter the rotor without shock and they allow required quantity of steam to enter the
turbine. The guide blades may be opened or closed by a regulating shaft which allows
steam to flow according to the need.
The runner consists of moving blades. These blades are designed properly to

allow steam to enter and leave the blades without shock.

The steam after passing through the rotor flows to condenser through a draft tube.
It minimises losses due to eddies.
In impulse turbines, steam pressure on both sides of moving blades is same and
axial thrust is negligible. But, in a reaction turbine, this thrust is considerable due to fall
of pressure within the blades and difference between blade sizes in various steps. (To
accommodate increased volume, height of blades in increased progressively). Thrust
bearings are used to balance this thrust.
In a reaction turbine, the pressure is reduced in both fixed and moving blades.
The velocity increases in fixed blades and reduces while passing through moving blades.
7.3. VELOCITY DIAGRAM OF A REACTION TURBINE:
The Fig.7.2 shows the inlet and outlet velocity diagrams for moving blade of a
reaction turbine.
The steam jet enters the blades along CA with absolute velocity Ci at an angle in the
direction of motion of blade. DA represents relative velocity of steam at entrance Cri with
respect to blade.
CE represents velocity of whirl at entrance Cwi which causes the work done. EA
represents axial component of absolute velocity Ci known as velocity of flow at entrance
Cfi . It causes steam to flow through the blades and also exerts an axial thrust on the rotor.
It does no work on the blade. Mean velocity of blade is represented by Cb

Fig.7.2: Velocity diagrams of a Reaction turbine

The steam jet glides over and leaves the blades at the other end. Co, Cro, Cfo, Cwo,
, represents corresponding values at outlet of the moving blade.
The Fig.7.3 shows the combined velocity diagram for the reaction turbine.

Fig.7.3: Combined velocity diagram for a Reaction turbine

In Parson's reaction turbine, both the fixed and moving blades are made identical. So,
= and
= .
So, the velocity diagram for Parson's reaction turbine will be symmetrical about vertical
centre line and
Cfi = Cfo;
Ci = Cro;
Co =Cri
7.4. BLADING OR DIAGRAM EFFICIENCY OF PARSON'S TURBINE:
Itisdefinedastheratioofworkdoneonbladespersecondtoenergysuppliedtothe
bladespersecond.

blade =

Energy supplied
Work done on theblade
the blade

C +C C
work done on the blade = ( wi wo ) b

J/s

Energy supplied to the blade= (Kinetic energy of the steam at the inlet of the moving
blade) + (Kinetic energy supplied to the moving blade)

Kinetic energy of the steam at the inlet of the moving blade =

1 2
C
2 i

J/s

Kinetic energy supplied to the moving blade=

(C 2roC 2ri )
2

1 2
C
2 i +

Energy supplied to the blade =

Reaction

(C 2roC 2ri )
2

J/s

J/s

( C wi +C wo ) C b
2

1 2 C roC ri
C+
2 i
2

Reaction

2 ( C wi +C wo ) C b
2

C i +(C roC ri )

To obtain condition for maximum efficiency following assumptions are made :

There is no axial thrust on the blades
C +C
If the tangential force ( wi wo ) increases work done increases and
efficiency () increases
If there is no thrust on the blades, obtain maximum tangential force,
m ( C fi C fo )
=0
C fi C fo

=0

C fi = C fo

The steam is axially discharges

If the steam is axially discharges

Co

is obtained minimum then work

done increases and efficiency () increases

0
= 90

Co

Degree of reaction is 50%.

C fo

Parsons reaction turbine is a 50% reaction turbine, Fixed and moving

blades are symmetrical and velocity of steam at exit from preceding stage
is same as velocity of steam at the entrance to the next stage.
So,
C o=C ri
=
Ci = Cro

The Fig.7.4 shows the combined velocity diagram for maximum efficiency.

Fig.7.4: Combined velocity diagram for maximum efficiency.

For maximum efficiency, from combined velocity diagram

Cb =C wi
2 ( C b ) Cb

maximum =

C 2i + ( C 2i C 2o )
2C 2b

2 ( C 2i C 2o )

Cb
C2o
C 1 2
2 Ci

2
i

cos 2
1
2
(1 ( sin ) )
2

2( sin2 )

2cos 2

1+ ( 1sin 2 )

2 cos2

maximum

( O Ci )2
1
1
2
( b Ci )2

2cos 2
(1+cos 2 )

7.5. DEGREE OF REACTION:

The energy transfer is by change of dynamic pressure and by change of dynamic
pressure in rotor passage. The ratio of energy transfer by means of change of static
pressure in the rotor to total energy static pressure in the rotor to total energy transfer in
the rotor is called the degree of reaction.
In case of turbines, a stage consists of a set of nozzles (or fixed blades) and rotor
having moving blades. The Fig.7.5 shows the h-s diagram for isentropic flow of steam
through stationary (fixed) and moving blades.

Fig.7.5: FLOW OF STEAM IN A TURBINE

The degree of reaction is defined as the ratio of enthalpy drop in moving blades to
total enthalpy drop in a stage.

Degree of reaction =
ENTHALPY DROPMOVING BLADES
ENTHALPY DROPSTAGE

h B hC
hA hC

When D.O.R. = 0, it is an impulse turbine, since no enthalpy drop is taking place in

moving blades
D.O.R. = 1, it is 100% reaction turbine
In an impulse turbine, the total enthalpy drop takes place in nozzles only and no
enthalpy drop takes place in the rotor. (Both enthalpy and static pressure remain constant
in rotor passage). So. for impulse turbines, degree of reaction is zero.
In case of reaction turbines, enthalpy drop is divided in fixed blades and moving
blades. (Pressure changes in both fixed and moving blades). So, for a reaction turbine,
D.O.R=
ENTHALPY DROP MOVING BLADES
ENTHALPY DROP MOVING BLADES+ ENTHALPY DROP BLADES

h B hC
hA hC

h B hC
( h A hB ) + ( hB h C )

hA-hB =

1
2

2
2
( Ci - C o )

hB-hC =

1
2

2
( Cro

2
- Cri )

J/kg of steam

J/kg of steam

For a Parson's reaction turbine;

Ci = C ro and Co = Cri
Degree of reaction = 0.5 = 50%.
So, a Parson's reaction turbine is also known as 50% reaction turbine. In it, half of
the total enthalpy drop takes place in fixed blades and the remaining half of the
enthalpy drop takes place in moving blades.
7.6. HEIGHT OF BLADES FOR A REACTION TURBINE:
In designing blades, the height of blade plays an important role.
For impulse turbine the blade height at a particular section of a turbine will be
function of area of that section, Mass flow of steam, Velocity of flow and specific
volume of steam. The Fig.7.6 shows the view of Impulse turbine blades.

Fig.7.6: Height of blade for Impulse turbine

Let,
P= pitch = distance between two blades
N= number of blades covered by nozzle
H = blade height (in meters)
We know the equation,
Mass flow of steam

m =AC

AC
v

P H N C fi
v

Blade height H=

m v
P N C fi

In a reaction turbine, the steam enters the moving blades over the whole
circumference. So, the area through which steam flows is always full of steam.
The Fig.7.7 shows the view of blades.

Fig.7.7: Height of blades for Reaction turbine

Let,
d = diameter of rotor drum

h = height of blades and

Cfi = velocity of flow at exit
Area available for the steam to flow,
2

Annular area of the turbine A = R r

r +h

2
2
2
= ( r + h + 2rhr )

h
(
2+2
r h)
=

= h ( h+ 2r )
A

Mass flow of steam

= h(d+h)

m =AC

AC
v

m=

h ( d +h ) V f
v

kg/s

(or)
m=

h ( d m ) V f
v

kg/s

where d m is the mean blade diameter and is equal to (d+h)

7.7. COMPARISON OF IMPULSE AND REACTION TURBINES:

The following are the important differences between impulse and reaction turbines.
Table7.1: Comparison between Impulse and Reaction turbine
S.
No.

Impulse Turbine

Reaction Turbine

Steam flows through nozzles and

impinges on moving blades.

Steam flows through fixed blades and then

flows over moving blades
Pressure drop takes place both in fixed and
moving blades.

pressure drop takes place in nozzles

and pressure remains constant in
moving blades.
Blade passage is of constant cross
sectional area as there is
no expansion.
Blade shape is profile type and
easy to manufacture.
Nozzles are located in diaphragms
and rotor construction is disc or
wheel type.
Admission of steam is partial over
The Circumference

Because of large pressure drop,

number of stages are less.

1
2
3
4
5

8
9
10
11
12

Because of large pressure drop,

velocity of steam and velocity of
blade are higher
The diagram efficiency decreases
rapidly with change in designed
blade speed ratio.
Suitable for small power
requirements
Occupies less space per unit power.
Degree of reaction is zero

Due to expansion, the blade passage is of

variable cross sectional area.
Blade shape is aerofoil type and
difficult to manufacture.
Fixed blades attached to casing serve
as nozzles and rotor construction is
drum type.
Admission of steam is full over the whole
circumference.
Because of small pressure drop, for same pressure
drop, larger number of stages are required.
Reaction turbines are multi stage turbines only.
Because of small pressure drop, the velocity
of steam and velocity of blade are lower.
Greater working range is possible.
Suitable for medium and higher power
Requirements
Occupies more space per unit power.
Degree of reaction is greater than zero

The choice of stages in a steam turbine depends upon relative importance of capital
cost and turbine efficiency. Higher turbine efficiency results in lower steam consumption
and smaller size of boiler and condenser which in turn reduces the capital cost of total
steam power plant.