PRINCIPLES and OPERATION

(Figure. 16), Shows the basic layout of a combustion gas turbine as compared to the operation of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The advantages of the turbine are, that it has less moving parts, it is smoother in operation and can produce much more power. In a Steam Turbine, the driving force comes from the Potential (stored) energy of high pressure, high temperature steam. The conversion of this energy into mechanical energy takes place when the pressure is released and changed to velocity by the nozzles, which rotates the turbine rotor. This type of turbine may be classed as an 'External Combustion Engine’ because the heat energy is added outside of the machine by the boilers. All gas turbines are similar in operation, but different makes and models have varying configurations and design. The main parts of a ‘Combustion Gas Turbine’ consist of the following:-
The Air Compressor; The Combustion Chamber; The Compressor (HP) and Load (LP) Turbines.